Brisbane Broncos vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Thursday night – Suncorp Stadium

Following successive losses, the Broncos will be hoping to steady the ship and their season on Thursday night, but they face a test. The Bulldogs remain undefeated and have conceded just one try in their last three games. Reece Walsh is out with a knee injury for at least a month, with Cobbo slipping into the number one jersey. A pair of more than handy inclusions in Mariner and Piakura bolster the team, but they could use some bolstering. Just the one change for the Bulldogs - Hayes replacing the injured Todd on the bench. Trevor Gillmeister (childhood hero of The Thinker) famously pointed out that if your opponent doesn't score they can't win. The Bulldogs are checking the maths on the field, and he was right. 

Verdict – Bulldogs by 8

Result – Broncos 42 defeated Bulldogs 18

Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Friday afternoon – Allianz Stadium

Basically every game is an ANZAC game this round, but this is the blockbuster that started them all, and it's still the best. Last year, the Chooks won this battle 60-12, and that's a scoreline we're ulikely to see this time. Some changes for the Chooks following the loss to the Panthers last week - Young drops out, with Nawaqanitawase shifting to wing and Smith returning in the centres. With Nat Butcher injured, Leniu starts at prop. Crichton and Egan Butcher return this week to bolster the pack. The only change for the Dragons is Finau on the wing replacing the injured Mathew Feagai. This is one of those games where recent form can mean little - both teams will lift for the occasion, but who lifts the most? The Chooks have won 4 of the last 5 ANZAC Day contests, and I'm leaning their way again.

Verdict – Roosters by 4

Result – Roosters 46 defeated Dragons 18

New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights – Friday night – Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch

The Warriors have won four of their last five, and their one loss was to the Storm in Melbourne (a team and a town where they almost never win). A few handy returns to the side that held out the Broncos last start, with Nicoll-Klokstad at fullback and Berry in the centres. With their returns, Tuaupiki shifts to the wing and Capewell returns to his usual habitat in the back row. No major changes for the Knights who are staring down the barrel of five straight losses. Their last two games were played in their preferred timeslot (Sunday afternoon) at their preferred venue, and they were soundly beaten in both. In the two away games prior to that they lost by 20 to the Bulldogs and by 20 to the Titans. On form there's no reason why we would see a different result in Christchurch, where the Warriors have an enviable record.

Verdict – Warriors by 14

​​​​​​​Result – Warriors 26 defeated Knights 12

Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – AAMI Park

The Storm haven't lost a game at home this season, and that's not likely to change in the ANZAC Day game, a contest that often brings out something close to their best. When these sides met in the ANZAC Day game last year the Storm racked up ten tries, and while that seems less likely, they'll no doubt bounce back from the disappointing loss to the Dolphins last week. Meaney returns and replaces the injured Howarth, while Kamikamica is replaced by Vaalepu on the bench. Bennett is shuffling his troops around this week, hoping to find a combination that shines. Mitchell is at fullback, with Gray coming off the bench. Sullivan returns in the halves with Walker, with Dodd out of the seventeen. I'm not convinced that's the best positional options they have, but who the heck am I to question the best coach rugby league has ever seen. If it works there aren't enough superlatives, because the Rabbitohs have never won a game against the Storm in Melbourne...ever.

Verdict – Storm by 10

​​​​​​​Result – Storm 24 defeated Rabbitohs 16

North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans – Saturday night – Queensland Country Bank Stadium

The ANZAC Day hits differently in the Garrison City, so expect the Cowboys to turn up with their boots on. Bateman returns in the back row and the whole squad should be feeling fresh after the bye last week. Some handy inclusions for the Titans with Fifita and Khan-Pereira back this weekend. That will help, but the Titans record in Townsville is very poor (1 win from 13).

Verdict – Cowboys by 7

​​​​​​​Result – Cowboys 50 defeated Titans 18

Penrith Panthers vs Manly Sea Eagles – Saturday night – CommBank Stadium

Are the Panthers back? Maybe, but we don't want to get too carried away after a win over the team that are currently second last. A few things went there way in their win over the Chooks, but a win is a win, and they'll take it. A few key outs for Penrith, with Kenny and Garner unavailable. Geyer returns on the bench for his first game of the season. The Sea Eagles are in a slump of their own, but the return of their enigmatic fullback (Trbojevic) changes this team a lot. The return of Aloiai helps too, with Sipley unavailable. There are murmurings that Cherry-Evans is down on form since his announcement that he won't be with Manly next season, and that's just the sort of noise he's likely to respond too positively. I'm sure the incumbent QLD halfback would love to notch up a win over the NSW halfback, and I'm keen to tip an upset here. Perhaps a golden point game with a field goal shootout between two of the best in the business.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 1

​​​​​​​Result – Sea Eagles 26 defeated Panthers 10

Canberra Raiders vs Redcliffe Dolphins – Sunday afternoon – GIO Stadium

At the start of the season, the Raiders were the favourites to win the wooden spoon. I suggested that was preposterous at the time and it's nice to know I got at least one thing right this year. Top three currently and with abye up their sleeve, they look every inch a top eight side and it wouldn't surprise me if they finish top four. No changes to the team that beat the Titans last week, and they'll be looking forward to just their third game at home this season. The Dolphins surprised almost everyone last week with a dominant and very entertaining win over the Storm. Kaufusi has been sidelined and he's hard to replace, and while Plath has been named there's some chance he may not take the field on Sunday. Potentially the game of the round here.

Verdict – Raiders by 4

​​​​​​​Result – Raiders 40 defeated Dolphins 28

Wests Tigers vs Cronulla Sharks – Sunday afternoon – Leichardt Oval

It's hard to get a read on the Galvin situation at the Tigers - he was dropped last week but returns this week. I suspect Galvin and his Manager were hoping for an early release from their Tigers contract, and this could the Tigers way of saying "not so fast". In any case, I suspect they are a better team with Galvin the halves, and I suspect they may have won last week if he played against the Eels. How the team responds to the "bullying" claims is anyone's guess. It wouldn't surprise me if they cause a boilover here, but I'll play things safe and tip the Sharks.

Verdict – Sharks by 7

​​​​​​​Result – Tigers 20 defeated Sharks 18

Wally Lewis - round eight selections (in bold)

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

• BRONCOS vs Bulldogs
• Roosters vs DRAGONS
• WARRIORS vs Knights
• STORM vs Rabbitohs
• COWBOYS vs Titans
• Panthers vs SEA EAGLES
• RAIDERS vs Dolphins
• TIGERS vs Sharks