Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm – Thursday night – Allianz Stadium

Two teams backing up from losses last week - the Roosters are fighting for a spot in the top eight, while the Storm are keen for a top two finish. The Storm head to Sydney with an imposing recent record against the Roosters (11 wins from their last 12 games), but there are reasons for Roosters fans to have some hope on Thursday. The Storm are without Munster, Papenhuyzen and Asofa-Solomona - Wishart joins Hughes in the halves and Meaney continues in the fullback role until Papenhuyzen can get his troublesome calf in order. For the Chooks, the return of Townsend to first grade was short-lived, with Sandon Smith joining Walker in the halves. The other Smith (Billy) is sidelined with concussion and Radley is out with a shoulder issue. The Roosters recent record at Allianz Stadium is very good, except when they play the Storm. The Storm have the best points differential (+218) in the NRL this season, while the Roosters are barely scoring more points than they concede (+8). On that alone, I would favour the Storm, but I also like to tip them following up from a loss. They haven't lost two games in a row this year, and their coach has a way of getting his side back on track quickly. I'm expecting a contest though, and this is the game of the round.

Verdict - Storm by 7

North Queensland Cowboys vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Friday night – Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Aspirations of a finals campaign are starting to look beyond both these sides right now. The Cowboys have a reasonable run home, but they're not winning and they continue to leak points. Turning things around now seems unlikely. The Dragons aren't winning either, but at least their losses are competitive. Unfortunately for them, their run home is arduous and simply looks too hard. The Cowboys are a warm favourite here, perhaps based on what they can do rather than what they've been doing. I'm happy to tip an upset here, with the Dragons keeping their slim finals prospects alive for another week.

Verdict - Dragons by 2

Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

Some big names return for this game, with Payne Haas for the Broncos and Mitch Moses for the Eels lacing on the boots. The prospects for both teams are enhanced greatly with either of them play. The Broncos also have Jensen back to bolster the pack, and Arthars returns on the wing. While the Eels will be pleased to have Moses back , the injury to exciting prospect Isaiah Iongi couldn't come at a worse time. Dylan Brown remains on the outer while their coach starts to look to the future. They'll likely do enough to avoid the wooden spoon this season - a shame for The Thinker who picked them to run last this season - but I can't see them doing much better than that. Still, they're a dangerous side when they put it all together, and the return of Moses gives them a chance. Regardless, it's the home side for me, who won't have given up on a top four finish yet.

Verdict - Broncos by 8

New Zealand Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans – Saturday afternoon – Go Media Stadium

It was good to see Des Hasler dragging his troops out of the showers for a spray after the game last week. It can't be an easy gig coaching the Titans, and it's looking like Hasler will earn his first ever wooden spoon as a coach. The injury to Fa'asuamaleaui all but seals their fate, and David Fifita aggravating his ankle (again) doesn't help either. Nikoll-Kolkstad returns at fullback for the Warriors, a team still coming down from the rush of their spectacular but nerve-inducing victory last week. The only teams to beat the Warriors at home this season are the Raiders and the Panthers. This should prove easier.

Verdict - Warriors by 10

Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers – Saturday night – CommBank Stadium

The Tigers had their moment in the sun last week, winning with a field goal in the 79th minute at the 8th Wonder of the World. For an ounce of perspective, it was against the Titans, who scored more tries than they did, at their spiritual home. This was always going to be harder, but especially so now that Clearly and Yeo are returning to the Panthers seventeen. Some chance the Panthers run away with this.

Verdict - Panthers by 14

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday night – Industree Group Stadium, Gosford

Few would argue the Rabbitohs aren't giving it their all - they have simply run out of quality first grade players to put together a competitive team. They'll give it their all up in Gosford, but will almost certainly fall short against a Sharks team coming into form at the right time of the year. English halfback Lewis Dodd starts in the seven jersey for the first time this season, and I wish him well. It's going to be tough through, playing seven behind a pack of forwards that will almost certainly struggle.

Verdict - Sharks by 22

Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – GIO Stadium

Call me Captain Obvious, but if the Raiders keep winning the minor premiership is theirs. I'm much like Peter Sterling, and believe that this honour should get more attention than it ever does, but I think Sterlo and I are a very small club. Their record at home this season has been very good. They've also won eight in a row, and while those some of those wins haven't been sensational, they just keep winning. The Knights have a fair recent record against the Raiders, but history doesn't tell the entire story. The Knights defence has been solid all year, and I expect them to be in this game for some time. But, walls crack eventually, often in the last 20 minutes.

Verdict - Raiders by 8

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles – Sunday afternoon – Allianz Stadium

This is perhaps a little bold from me, but I'm a keen on the Sea Eagles chances on Sunday. They were terrific last week and will likely be better on Sunday with Olakau'atu returning from injury. The Bulldogs are still premiership heavyweights this season, but their last four wins have been against teams (Eels, Cowboys, Rabbitoh, Dragons) at the unattractive end of the NRL ladder. I'm hoping Manly come out of the gates and silence the crowd. Too bold maybe, but:

Verdict - Sea Eagles by 1

Wally Lewis - round twenty-one selections (in bold)

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

• Roosters vs STORM
• COWBOYS vs Dragons
• BRONCOS vs Eels
• WARRIORS vs Titans
• PANTHERS vs Tigers
• Rabbitohs vs SHARKS
• RAIDERS vs Knights
• BULLDOGS vs Sea Eagles