South Sydney Rabbitohs vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Thursday night – Accor Stadium

15th plays 12th on Thursday night, an unusual choice for the free to air broadcaster, but they may picked this game out long ago. Both teams have won eight games this season, so not much separating them, and it was a solitary point that seperated them when they met way back in round two. On that night, the Dragons scored more tries, but lost 25-24 thanks to the accurate kicking of Humphreys. The list of players that lined up for the Dragons that night that are now unavailable is a fair list - Suli, Holmes, Su'a, De Belin, Couchman (Toby) and Stewart. For the Rabbitohs, cursed by injuries all season, the only players missing from the round two clash are Graham, Moale and Tatola. Johnston didn't play that night, and he's still four tries away from breaking the all time record. Scoring four in a game isn't beyond him, but the Dragons defence has been pretty resilient all season, so I'll put that outcome in the highly unlikely category. It would probably be better if he didn't break it Thursday, because Sydney is delivering their Sydney weather which will keep the attendance to a minimum. I still think the Bunnies can win this - the return of Koloamatangi is a massive inclusion for a side lacking size in the pack and on the bench. Couple that return with the three Dragons forwards missing with concussion. and it looks like a winnable game for the home side. The kicking games will be paramount in wet conditions and, just like in round two, Humphries might prove the difference.

Verdict - Rabbitohs by 4

Result - Rabbitohs 40 defeated Dragons 0

Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders – Friday night – Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee

Fair game this one, but if you wanted to watch it you need a paid subscription or a home in Mudgee. A shame, but it's great for the people in and around Mudgee. The Raiders have lost one game since round 10, and they've lost just one game to a top eight team all season (where they led 20-0 at half time). That all looks pretty decent to me, but the Raiders have many more doubters than believers. I'm not sure what more they have to do - perhaps win this by 30. Last week the Panthers lost, and a fortnight prior they just scraped home over the team running last, but few have any doubts about their credentials. I understand that they have the runs on the board, and they're a proper football team, but that's been and gone. For the Raiders it's all in front of them, but their future looks bright. An extra week to prepare for this won't hurt either, particularly given the Panthers are trying to bounce off an epic extra-time contest. Note that Yeo is named on an extended bench for the Panthers, and could be a late inclusion. That's a big inclusion if it happens, but I'm tipping an upset regardless. It's the game of the round.

Verdict - Raiders by 2

Result - Raiders 20 defeated Panthers 16

Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Friday night – AAMI Park

The Bulldogs haven't spent a lot of time out of Sydney this season - they had a block of games through rounds 8 through 10 interstate, and a trip to Townsville more than a month ago. Otherwise, it's been nothing but Sydney, and after this game they will see the rest of the regular season out in Sydney too. This is a particularly interesting road trip, because there's a fair chance they will have to do it again in week one of the finals. Note that the Bulldogs have lost their last two "away' games at Allianz and CommBank - a 20 point loss to the Chooks and a 14 point loss to the Tigers. It's not compelling away form, and Melbourne is much more away than a bus ride in Sydney town. No changes to the Bulldogs seventeen for this, although Tupouniua, Suluka-Fifita and Montoya are listed as reserves and shouldn't be far away from a return. The Storm are without Blore (ankle) with the versatile and under-appreciated Chan slotting into the second row. Papenhuyzen, Asofa-Solomona and Vaalepu are listed as reserves and should all be available for finals football. Coates continues to provide the Storm with a target in the air and while the Bulldogs know it's coming it's another thing entirely to know what to do about it. He's scored 11 games in his last 8 outings at AAMI Park and he's likely to add to the tally. The current halves pairing for the Storm (Pezet, Wishart), while temporary, is getting the job done and I expect more of the same on Friday. It doesn't hurt to have Grant and Munster making up the rest of the spine. Recent adjustments to the Bulldogs spine (Galvin in the halves, Hayward starting at dummy-half) looks a work in progress. A road trip to Melbourne is quite the test for a side still finding its way. A massive game with ramifications likely for the finals. I doubt Friday Night Football could get much better than this.

Verdict - Storm by 4

Result - Storm 20 defeated Bulldogs 14

Manly Sea Eagles vs Redcliffe Dolphins – Saturday afternoon – 4 Pines Park

Don't let some mathemagician tell you the Sea Eagles can still make the top eight, because they cannot. They've lost four in a row and not one of those games was close. They've scored just six tries across those four games while conceding 19 - poor results given they were in the running for a finals berth. Cherry-Evans is no fool, and he looked like a man that knew it was over last week, and he's right. The loss of Garrick hurts too, with Cherry-Evans likely needed to take on goal-kicking duties. Some tough losses for the Dolphins in recent weeks, and a finals berth looks less likely with each loss. Missing so many middles has taken it's toll, but they do get Kaufusi and Molo back on Saturday. That will help a lot, particularly against a Manly pack missing key personnel. I'm stunned that Manly are the favourites here. Stunned.

Verdict - Dolphins by 8

Result - Sea Eagles 58 defeated Dolphins 30

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

The Titans are probably going to finish last this season, but they can dodge it. To do so, they may have to win this game, and I'm crazy enough to think that they can. The Warriors are one of the few teams the Titans have beaten this season, and they did that in New Zealand just a month ago. That Titans team didn't include Tina Fa'asuamaleaui or Verrills. The Titans have to make do without Joliffe up front, but the Warriors are in a similar boat with Ford suspended for the remainder of the regular season. Recent unlucky losses at home have me convinced that the Titans are still putting in, and I think they can spring an upset. The Warriors should win and have everything to play for, but I feel like I've said that a number of times this season and it doesn't seem to make much difference. They've won one of their last three games in Australia, and that was an 80 minute Houdini act over the Knights.

Verdict - Titans by 2

Result - Warriors 32 defeated Titans 18

Parramatta Eels vs Sydney Roosters – Saturday night – CommBank Stadium

If you can find a reason to tip the Eels on Saturday night I'd like to hear it. I give them no hope at all. None. Their record against top eight teams this season is very poor, and they're facing a red hot Roosters line-up peaking at the right time. 96 points scored in their last two outings against the Dolphins and the Bulldogs. Somebody stop them.

Verdict - Roosters by 16

Result - Eels 30 defeated Roosters 10

Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos – Sunday afternoon – McDonald Jones Stadium

It's the last game of the season for the Knights at home, and traditionally they make the most of this Sunday afternoon fixture. The old boys will be there and another bumper crowd will be at the ground - surely Knights fan are the most resilient in the NRL. So with all that, the Knights will turn up in their boots and give their all, but their all is not likely enough. If i'm right about some of the earlier games in the round, the Broncos can move back into the top four. Walsh may have had his best game all season last week, and with a little bit of luck the Broncos can provide more than nuisance value in the 2025 finals series. A competitive first half, but the Broncos have the speed and the attack to run away with the game in the last 30 minutes.

Verdict - Broncos by 14

Result - Broncos 46 defeated Knights 12

Wests Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys – Sunday afternoon – Leichhardt Oval

It's the Tigers last home game of the season, and where else could it be but a Sunday afternoon at the Eighth Wonder of the World. There's been plenty to like about recent performances from the Tigers, and you can trace their improved performances back to the last time these sides met. In round 13, the Cowboys prevailed by 4 points in Townsville, the first of a string of games where the Tigers were competitive but not quite good enough. In recent weeks, they've been good enough, winning three of their last four. Technically, they could still make the top eight, but only technically. Regardless, I expect them to turn up with their boots on and give their fans an afternoon to remember. If I was being a bit of a rascal I would point out that the improved showing from the Tigers this season coincides with the departure of Galvin, but I won't. :-)

Verdict - Tigers by 8

Result - Cowboys 34 defeated Tigers 28

Wally Lewis - round twenty five selections (in bold)

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

• Rabbitohs vs DRAGONS
• PANTHERS vs Raiders
• STORM vs Bulldogs
• Sea Eagles vs DOLPHINS
• Titans vs WARRIORS
• Eels vs ROOSTERS
• Knights vs BRONCOS
• TIGERS vs Cowboys