Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters – Thursday night – The Gabba

I'm not sure what Tedesco was smoking when he sneaked off to Byron Bay recently, but it's improved his football. A rare win for the Chooks last week, and a dominant win at that, means their finals prospects aren't entirely extinguished. The Broncos lost their goose-stepping prop forward to suspension following their win over the Bunnies, but the return of Thomas Flegler more than makes up for it. Arthars is also suspended, and will be replaced on the wing by the ridiculously talented Deine Mariner. The Chooks welcome back Victor Radley this week, whose inclusion could be a blessing for either team. Just depends on Victor really. The Roosters have a very strong record against the Broncos in recent years, but they haven't played the Broncos this season, and the Broncos this season are a very different proposition. They are all but guaranteed a top four finish, but top two would be so much better. If they finish third or fourth they will need to travel in week one of the finals, and their opponent is likely to be the Panthers, Warriors or Storm. That's a prospect you really want to dodge.

Verdict – Broncos by 8

Result – Broncos 32 defeated Roosters 10

Wests Tigers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – Scully Park, Tamworth

The Rabbitohs were a bit ordinary last week, and they've been a bit ordinary for a month. The outier was the dominant win over the Warriors in Auckland, but that game was played on, in, or under water, depending on the intensity of the rainfall at the time. In recent games on dry land, they've conceded 36 points to the Dragons, 31 points to the Cowboys, 36 points to the Bulldogs and 36 points to the Broncos. Notably the Broncos had players sent to the sin bin twice. They're leaking points, and they're leaked points to teams that aren't travelling any better than the Tigers. Latrell Mitchell is probably back on Friday...probably. There was talk he would be fit and ready to play the second Origin game in mid-June, so who really knows. Even if he does play, he's likely to need the run. They find themselves outside the top eight, surrounded by teams in better form. They're clearly capable of getting on a run and scaring the pants off everyone, but they need to sort themselves out...and fast. Luke Brooks returns for the Tigers which helps, but the side that racked up 66 points over the Cowboys haven't won a game since. They need to win some games to drag themselves off the foot of the ladder, and they have no easy games left. I give them a sneaky chance in this, but I can't tip them in good faith.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 4

Result – Rabbitohs 32 defeated Tigers 18

Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels – Friday night – Marvel Stadium

A difficult period for the Eels, backing up from the road trip to Townsville with a road trip to Melbourne. They also have a road trip to Brisbane in a fortnight, so this next month can make or break their season campaign. The Storm hang on to a top four spot, but they would be watching the Raiders and the Cowboys out of the corner of their eyes. Normally, you'd back the Storm every time under these circumstances - back at home after a difficult loss on the road and a fair spray from the coach. I'm breaking my own rules and tipping against them here, primarily because of the troops they have lost for this game - Asofa-Solomona, Sims, Olam and Smith. That's two big bodies in the middle, and both centres. I expect Moses and Gutherson will steer plenty of attack at the new centre pairing of Seve and Tonumaipea, and the Eels centre pairing of Penisini and Simonnson know how to find the line. That could prove the difference in the end. There's plenty of games of interest this round, and this could be the most interesting of all.

Verdict – Eels by 1

​​​​​​​Result – Storm 46 defeated Eels 16

Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights – Saturday afternoon – GIO Stadium

The Raiders are on the cusp of the top four but, incredibly, are the only team in the top ten with a negative points differential. More incredibly, the 14th placed Titans have a better for and against than the 5th placed Raiders. In a contested competition it's the sort of thing that could cost the Raiders during the finals. That said, their run home is quite favourable, and dropping out of the top eight from here looks unlikely. The Knights are looking like one of those teams that deserve a top eight finish on recent form, but for one glaring issue. Their record away from home this season is poor to middling. Their only wins away from Newcastle were over the bottom two teams. For that reason alone I'm tipping the Raiders, but I expect this will be a genuine contest.

Verdict – Raiders by 2

​​​​​​​Result – Knights 28 defeated Raiders 6

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles – Saturday night – WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Both sides are coming off victories, but the Dragons four point win over the last-placed Tigers isn't as impressive as a four point win over the Sharks (and I admit I'm always knocking the Sharks). Manly can still make the top eight this season - it won't be easy, but their run home includes games over the bottom three teams. Of course they'll need to win this along the way, but I think they well - with Daly Cherry-Evans knocking up game number 300 (and all with the same club), it's hard to imagine them stumbling here. For those that like trivia, I'll add a list of players that racked up 300 games with one club in the comments.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 10

​​​​​​​Result – Sea Eagles 24 defeated Dragons 18

Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday night – BlueBet Stadium

Several times this season I've pointed out that the Sharks can't beat the teams in the top eight, and they still can't. With that in mind, they're not much chance of beating the premiership favourite, and even less chance of doing it in Penrith. The Sharks have to play top eight teams in three of their last six games, plus games against the teams currently 9th and 10th. If any team drops out of the top eight from here, it's likely to be the Sharks.

Verdict – Panthers by 16

​​​​​​​Result – Panthers 28 defeated Sharks 0

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Redcliffe Dolphins – Sunday afternoon – Salter Oval, Bundaberg

A home game for the Bulldogs in name only as this is the game they take to Bundaberg - you'd expect the Dolphins would get most of the local support. The Dolphins are a warm favourite, but some key returns for the Bulldogs has me thinking they can jag a win here - Kikau, Addo-Carr, Sexton, Preston and Burns are back. Handy inclusions each and every one of them. For the Dolphins, Tabuai-Fidow returns to the fullback role with the return of Nui on the wing - Te Whare (the biggest winger in the world) moves back into the centres. Marshall-King is also back for the Dolphins, and the Dolphins are a much better side when he's there. I'll take the Dogs in something of an upset.

Verdict – Bulldogs by 2

​​​​​​​Result – Bulldogs 23 defeated Dolphins 22

Gold Coast Titans vs North Queensland Cowboys – Sunday afternoon – CBus Super Stadium

The Cowboys have lost two key forwards for this match (Nanai and Neame), but such is the strength of their pack, Taumalolo is still starting off the bench. They've now won six in a row and I doubt the Titans will give them much to fear, particularly with Tino Fa'asuamaleaui unavailable for now.

Verdict – Cowboys by 10

​​​​​​​Result – Titans 22 defeated Cowboys 13

Wally Lewis - round twenty two selections (in bold)

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

• BRONCOS vs Roosters
• Tigers vs RABBITOHS
• STORM vs Eels
• RAIDERS vs Knights
• Dragons vs SEA EAGLES
• PANTHERS vs Sharks
• Bulldogs vs DOLPHINS
• Titans vs COWBOYS