Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm – Thursday night – Allianz Stadium

The Roosters are at home for just the third time this season - their previous efforts at Allianz include a complete dismantling of the Rabbitohs and a competitive loss to the Panthers. Solid enough, but perhaps a shandy off spectacular. The win last week in Newcastle was impressive given the players they were missing. Special mention goes to Manu, Tupou and Suaalii - the three of them combined for a total of (checks notes) 812 metres with the ball in hand. Tedesco returns at fullback this week, meaning the two rugby-bound Roosters are shunted to centre and wing. For the Storm, this is just their second game away from home for the year. Their only other away game is the only game they've lost (to the team the Roosters beat away last week). Note that the Storm are winning, but not blowing teams away, with an 8-0 victory over Penrith their biggest winning margin in 2024. The Storm have lost Kamikamica and Moeroa from their pack, but Nelson Asofa-Solomona returns in timely fashion. Another close game is likely here, but I like the look of this Roosters pack on Thursday. If they can win that battle, and those Roosters in the backline can rack up metres with the ball like they did last week, they can get the points at home. They'll need to defy recent history though - they haven't beaten the Storm since 2019 and they've lost 8 of their last 9 against the purple machine.

Verdict – Roosters by 2

Result – Storm 18 defeated Roosters 12 

St George Illawarra Dragons vs New Zealand Warriors – Friday night – WIN Stadium, Wollongong

The Dragons return to Wollonogong for the second time this season - their last visit saw them overcome the Sea Eagles, the team that held the Warriors to a rare extra-time draw last weekend. Just the one change to the side that defeated the Tigers last week, with the soon-to-be-Eel Lomax shifting from wing to centre to cover for the injured Jack Bird. I suspect Lomax is a much better winger than he realises he is or wants to be, but he gets another chance to show the Dragons, the Eels, and perhaps even the Origin selectors what he can do with a 4 on his back. Just the one change for the Warriors also, with Pompey joining the interchange to replace the injured Tevaga. The Warriors may not have won last week but they didn't lose. They haven't lost since round two, and the only two teams that have beaten them are sitting in the top two positions on the ladder. They're going pretty well, but certainly not at their best, but Warriors fans should take comfort from knowing that things could get better from here. Traditionally, the Warriors struggle a little away from home, but their two trips to Australia this season have seen a narrow (and unlucky) loss to the Storm in Melbourne and a very comfortable win over the Rabbitohs. If they can match those efforts that should be enough to get the points at the Gong.

Verdict – Warriors by 4

Result – Dragons 30 defeated Warriors 12

Parramatta Eels vs Redcliffe Dolphins – Friday night – TIO Stadium

The Dolphins face another test of their depth this weekend, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow injured (unnecessarily) and likely to be out for a month. Milford joins him on the sidelines (unnecessarily) thanks to a suspension. All teams have their depth tested, but for a new club it's a real challenge. I've no doubt they'll give their all, but I expect they'll fall short to an Eels side that appears to have worked out how to play without Mitchell Moses. Note the venue tipsters, but also note that the Eels have been taking a game to Darwin for a few seasons now. The venue (and weather) should be somewhat familiar.

Verdict – Eels by 14

Result – Dolphins 44 defeated Eels 16

Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers – Saturday afternoon – Carrington Park, Bathurst

Another home game away from home with the Panthers taking this game to Bathurst. They're fresh from a bye and will be keen to make amends after falling to the Sea Eagles when they last took to the field. In the last 3-4 years you could count the number of times the Panthers lost successive games on one hand - a fair chance they will bounce back on Saturday. Cleary is at least one more week away from a return, but Sorensen is back to bolster the pack. Luai struggled with a troublesome knee in round five, but has been named. The Tigers were disappointing last week against a weaker opponent than they face here. The genuinely promising Lachlan Galvin returns in the halves and that will help, but the Tigers have been struggling in attack in most of their games this season - it's hard to see them cracking the Panthers defence often enough to secure a victory.

Verdict – Panthers by 8

Result – Panthers 22 defeated Tigers 6

Gold Coast Titans vs Manly Sea Eagles – Saturday night – CBus Super Stadium

Cranky Des would love to notch up a win over the club he is most famously associated with, and he does have an imposing record as coach against the Sea Eagles. What Des wants and what Des gets are likely to be two different things on this occasion. The Titans will be without Campbell at fullback, with Sami pulling on the number one jersey in his place. Meanwhile the Sea Eagles welcome back Reuben Garrick, Jason Saab, Matthew Lodge and Nathan Brown this week. I'm sure the Titans will put in, but they're lacking the class here.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 10

Result – Sea Eagles 34 defeated Titans 30

Brisbane Broncos vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – Suncorp Stadium

Given the Raiders struggled to put away the Titans in Canberra last start, a road trip to Brisbane does look like an ominous contest. Especially so, given the Raiders are yet to win a game away from home this season. Their forwards match up pretty well against the Broncos, so I think they'll be more competitive than most might assume. That said, the Broncos comfortably repelled an early onslaught from the Dolphins in round six, then went on to win quite comfortably. Perhaps not quite as comfortable on Saturday night, but I think they'll get the points.

Verdict – Broncos by 8

Result – Broncos 34 defeated Raiders 10

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Accor Stadium

The Knights are yet to win a game away from home this season, but this should be a little easier than the Cowboys in Townsville and the Warriors in Auckland. The Knights have scored more than 20 points just once this year (against the Dragons), and that's a barrier I think they'll need to break on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs have a longer casualty list than most but they continue to improve. Note that Blake Taaffe has been named on the bench and may be a late inclusion in the starting side. They gave the Storm a fright in Melbourne last week and they have enough attacking flair in their line-up to outpoint the Knights at home.

Verdict – Bulldogs by 4

Result – Bulldogs 36 defeated Knights 12

Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys – Sunday afternoon – PointsBet Stadium

The Cowboys have a line-up that should be winning this, but they continue to make costly errors and give away penalties that leave me throwing my remote at the wall. They also have an utterly abysmal recent record against the Sharks, and the Sharks have a solid recent record at their hideous home ground that even Scomo doesn't want to go to anymore. More Dally M points for Nicho Hynes this weekend.

Verdict – Sharks by 4

Result – Sharks 42 defeated Cowboys 6

Wally Lewis - round seven selections (in bold)

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

• Roosters vs STORM
• Dragons vs WARRIORS
• EELS vs Dolphins
• PANTHERS vs Tigers
• Titans vs SEA EAGLES
• BRONCOS vs Raiders
• Bulldogs vs KNIGHTS
• SHARKS vs Cowboys