Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm – Thursday night – Suncorp Stadium

Thursday night is the Aldi version of Broncos vs Storm, with the Broncos resting at least six (and probably nine) of their best and brightest and the Storm resting eleven. If anyone booked in this game months ago and has organised travel and accommodation around it, I feel for you. They're expecting north of 40,000 through the gates regardless, which is a hefty crowd for what is almost a reserve grade match. We may not have to wait long for the non-Aldi version of this game, as these sides are quite likely to meet next week. Peter Sterling regularly said that we don't give winning the minor premiership the credit it deserves, and I agree with him. How teams perform over the course of an entire season is a much better indicator of how good they are, and being the best performing team over the course of a 27 week competition is something that should be celebrated. The Broncos could have sealed the minor premiership with a win here, but are risking that reward in the hope of a greater reward in September. I get it, but I don't love it. How any of us are meant to pick a winner based on these team line-ups is anyone's guess. What I do know is that Craig Bellamy hasn't lost a game to the Broncos in a very long time, and he will be there. The Broncos remain a warm favourite, but I can't even work out who their goal kicker will be. Is it Jesse Arthars? Feel free to let me know if you know. I do know one thing about the new Broncos five-eighth Josh Rogers. He's from Perth, and we don't have a lot of sandgropers in the NRL. I wish him well.

Verdict – Storm by 4

Result – Storm 32 defeated Broncos 22

Manly Sea Eagles vs Wests Tigers – Friday night – 4 Pines Park

Manly holds the record as the club with the most players that have racked up 200 games at the one club, and on Friday night Jake Trbojevic becomes the 21st Sea Eagle on that list. Given this is the last game of the season for Manly, and it's at home, and it's a genuine milestone for one of their favourite sons, it all adds up to a Manly victory. Theoretically the Tigers could avoid the wooden spoon with a win, but it's a longshot, and I doubt that's enough motivation under the circumstances. If Manly score a late try under the posts, it will be worth hanging around to watch Jake slot the conversion.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 13

Result – Sea Eagles 54 defeated Tigers 12

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters – Friday night – Accor Stadium

As many of you would know, I've had one eye on this game for a while now, and things couldn't have played out much better. The only two foundation clubs in the NRL, with a genuine hatred for each other, facing off in the final round of the season. The losing side can call their travel agent. A win for either team doesn't guarantee a finals berth, but it virtually does for the Bunnies. To miss out they would need the Cowboys to beat the Panthers by at least 40, and no-one has beaten the Panthers by 40 in years. For the Chooks a win keeps their season alive and all their eyeballs turn to that Panthers/Cowboys clash the next night. The Chooks have named Manu in the centres but his late withdrawal wouldn't surprise anyone. Tedesco returns from concussion protocols. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is a double-edged sword for the Chooks - his approach to the game is what makes him such an important player, but at times it can also be his undoing. His suspension will run long into season 2024. You could say a similar thing about Latrell Mitchell for the Bunnies, who is also out with a suspension. This is the sort of game he would lift for, so he's a huge out for the home side. They'll also miss his goal-kicking, and goal-kicking can be the difference between winning and losing in a tight contest. There's been a few off-field distractions at the Bunnies and they seem to have boiled over in recent weeks. The unrest might at least partly explain why the Rabbits have won just 4 of their last 12 matches. Two of those wins were over the bottom two teams. One was over the Titans, and the other was over the Warriors in a game that was played underwater. It's not compelling form leading into a must-win game, particularly against a team that have won four in a row. Compulsory viewing this one.

Verdict – Roosters by 7

​​​​​​​Result – Roosters 26 defeated Rabbitohs 12

Redcliffe Dolphins vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday afternoon – Suncorp Stadium

An opportunity for the Dolphins to end the season with a win and a final chance to sing the team song - it's been a while. The Warriors have guaranteed themselves a top four finish and are using the opportunity to rest plenty of their stars - fairly understandable given the travel associated with playing an away game. All the hyphens get the weekend off for the Warriors - Fonua-Blake, Nicoll-Klokstad and Watene-Zelezniak - along with Johnson, Metcalf, Harris and Egan. Note that return from injury for Te Maire Martin in the halves. For the Dolphins, their club captain is back and will start in the front row. Dolphins winger Isaako has an opportunity to claim the gong for most tries this season, and with the Warriors resting Watene-Zelezniak that looks more likely. He's also the leading pointscorer in the NRL this season and has to be in the frame to be named as the Dolphins player of the year in their inaugural season. Phins up!

Verdict – Dolphins by 4

​​​​​​​Result – Dolphins 34 defeated Warriors 10

Penrith Panthers vs North Queensland Cowboys – Saturday night – BlueBet Stadium

For both teams, the results of games that have already been played in round 27 can have a profound impact on this match. Should the Broncos lose to the Storm, the Panthers can claim the minor premiership with a win. For the Cowboys, if the Rabbitohs beat the Roosters they will need to win this game by a hefty margin. Should the Roosters prevail, any kind of victory will see them make the top eight. The Cowboys need to travel to the foot of the mountains, and then they have a mountain to climb. These sides met in Townsville in round 16 where the Cowboys prevailed in extra time. A win is a win, but the Cowboys were near-enough to full strength while the Panthers rested Cleary, Yeo, Martin, Crichton, To'o, Luai and Leota. All but Luai will be playing for Penrith on Saturday night and they're playing at home. To make it worse, the Panthers were soundly beaten last week, and I doubt they want to lose two games in a row heading into a finals series. 

Verdict – Panthers by 16

​​​​​​​Result – Panthers 44 defeated Cowboys 12

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Newcastle Knights – Saturday night – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

Another tricky game here. The Knights can't progress any higher than their current ladder position with a win, and they can't lose a home final next week if they lose. They're also missing some of their best players here, with Ponga injured and Frizell, Gagai and Crossland rested. They're on a winning run and momentum can take a team a long way. The Dragons don't have much reason to get out of bed either. They can't improve their position on the ladder, and the only way they might end up jagging the wooden spoon is if the Tigers win and win well. I can't see the Tigers winning at all, so for now I'll ignore that possibility. They could, I suppose, turn up for their fans at home and give them something to cheer for, and their record at home (for a team running second last) isn't terrible. Good grief, I've talked myself into it.

Verdict – Dragons by 2

​​​​​​​Result – Knights 32 defeated Dragons 12

Gold Coast Titans vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Sunday afternoon – CBus Super Stadium

A dangerous road trip for the Bulldogs management. Imagine you are looking after a team whose season is over and their last game of the year is on a Sunday on the Gold Coast. Yikes. The Bulldogs look like a team that are going through the motions. Management tried to put a rocket up the squad at training this week, but that might have been a pre-emptive strike knowing that they're heading to the glitter strip for the weekend. The Titans season has been disappointing, but I don't think you could accuse them of not trying. I'm happy to tip them at home.

Verdict – Titans by 10

​​​​​​​Result – Titans 34 defeated Bulldogs 30

Cronulla Sharks vs Canberra Raiders – Sunday afternoon – PointsBet Stadium

There is some chance the final game of the regular season is really important, but there's more chance that it's a bit of a fizzer. The Sharks are guaranteed a top eight finish, but they would lose a home final with a loss. That's worth fighting for...I suppose. The Raiders could still drop out of the top eight altogether, but only if the Cowboys beat the Panthers on Saturday night. That's unlikely but not impossible. The Raiders have lost Papali'i and Horsburgh for this game, while the Sharks have Nicho Hynes returning. Hynes was seen downing drinks on stage with Luke Combs during the week, but he seems to have avoided the criticism that Latrell Mitchell copped for the same thing. Rules for some I suppose. I'll take the Sharks at home and I'll hang around after the match for the Ricky Stuart press conference. Should be a ripper.

Verdict – Sharks by 4

​​​​​​​Result – Sharks 24 defeated Raiders 6

Wally Lewis - round twenty seven selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or Thursday morning

• BRONCOS vs Storm
• SEA EAGLES vs Tigers
• RABBITOHS vs Roosters
• Dolphins vs WARRIORS
• PANTHERS vs Cowboys
• Dragons vs KNIGHTS
• TITANS vs Bulldogs
• SHARKS vs Raiders