Redcliffe Dolphins vs Melbourne Storm – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

The old master coach takes on...the old master coach, and we aren't likely to see much smiling from the men behind the clipboards on Friday night. The Storm have an astonishing record at this venue, even better than their record at home, so you can't possibly take them lightly. They'll be without Grant and Coates, but Papenhuyzen looks set to return at fullback. Exciting prospect and actual Victorian Sualauvi Faalogo moves onto a wing as a result. A shout out for Jahrome Hughes. They've lost one game this season when Hughes has laced on the boots, and if he were playing for one of the big Sydney clubs we'd be sick of hearing about him. If he's out there calling the shots, the Storm are in the game, and he's one of the key reasons they're on top of the NRL ladder right now. The Dolphins aren't going too badly either, certainly much better than almost everyone anticipated. They'll be playing finals football this year, and if they can finish in the top four in their second season it's just more evidence of the coach's greatness. Note that the team he's coaching next year hasn't lost a game since he was announced as their coach in 2025. It may seem unrelated, but it isn't. On Friday, the Phins are without my favourite player and hopefully yours (Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow) and Felise Kaufusi. Trai Fuller returns at fullback - he's no Hammer but he's no slouch. The Dolphins are well-served in the forwards, but the mid-season signing of Tevita Pangai Jnr could, potentially, be another master-stroke. I made the mistake of taking on the Storm last week and paid the price, so I'll be tipping them here in what should be another gripping contest. The game of the round.

Verdict – Storm by 2

Result – Storm 30 defeated Dolphins 24

Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday afternoon – Cbus Super Stadium

Always an interesting contest when these sides meet on the Gold Coast - more often than not the visitors have the lions share of the crowd support. Some key outs for the Warriors, with Capewell and Barnett on Origin duty, Watene-Zelezniak suspended, and Berry injured. Note that Tuivasa-Sheck returns this week in the centres. A few key forwards missing for the Titans too (Fotuaika and Haas), but David Fifita returns from an ankle injury. In the past fortnight, the Titans have been lapped by the Rabbitohs and scored just ten points against the Tigers. While the Titans lost to the team running last, the Warriors lost to the team running first. That's hard to ignore. 

Verdict – Warriors by 4

Result – Titans 66 defeated Warriors 6

Sydney Roosters vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Saturday night – Industree Stadium, Gosford

These sides met in round five where the Bulldogs prevailed 30-26, but it was a funny game that one. The Chooks played with 12 men for much of the game, and just 11 men for the last 8 minutes. They trailed 26-0 at half-time and almost came back to win it. Plenty of team changes for both sides this weekend, with the Roosters losing four forwards (Collins, Crichton, Leniu and Watson) to Origin. The Bulldogs lose a Crichton of their own for the same reason, along with the injured Preston and the suspended Mann. Despite the changes, the Chooks have enough forwards depth to keep Tupouniua and Wong on the interchange. Their backline is first class, and Brandon Smith gets an opportunity to convince his team that he's serious. 

Verdict – Roosters by 4

Result – Roosters 26 defeated Bulldogs 8

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles – Saturday night – Accor Stadium

The Bunnies have won three in a row, which doesn't sound that amazing until you remember they'd lost 9 of their first 10 games this season. They're some hope of sneaking into the top eight, but it won't be easy. These sides met in the very first game of the season in Las Vegas where the Sea Eagles prevailed 36-24, but this Manly side will bear next to no resemblance to the team from that game. Just four of the starting thirteen from round one are lining up on Saturday (Saab, Koula, Brooks, B Trbojevic). There's plenty of inexperience across their seventeen and that's one thing the Rabbitohs aren't missing. Even without Mitchell, the Bunnies could keep the scoreboard attendants busy here. Alex Johnston is now number two on the all-time try-scoring list and it won't surprise me if he adds a few more on Saturday. He needs 21 more to catch Ken Irvine. It feels like he's been around forever but he's only 29. I think he gets there.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 16

Result – Rabbitohs 14 defeated Sea Eagles 0

Wests Tigers vs Canberra Raiders – Sunday afternoon – Campbelltown Sports Stadium

In a round heavily disrupted by Origin football, our Sunday afternoon fixture isn't disrupted at all. The Tigers pulled themselves off the bottom of the ladder with a gritty win over the Titans last week. The win would have done them the world of good, and with the return of Galvin in the halves, Koroisau returns to his preferred number nine role. The Raiders disappointed many (including me) last week with a disappointing loss at home to the Cowboys. They should find this easier, and they did beat the Tigers quite comfortably (32-12) in round two. The change of venue can only help the Tigers, but I'm backing the Raiders to bounce back.

Verdict – Raiders by 4

Result – Tigers 48 defeated Raiders 24

Wally Lewis - round sixteen selections (in bold)

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

• Dolphins vs STORM
• Titans vs WARRIORS
• ROOSTERS vs Bulldogs
• RABBITOHS vs Sea Eagles
• Tigers vs RAIDERS