Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm – Thursday night – Suncorp Stadium

Many of us have questioned the on-field decision-making skills of Reece Walsh from time to time. Clearly his off-field decision-making could use some refinement as well. In any case, the fortunes of the Broncos on Thursday all but lie with the diminutive fullback. If he sets up and scores more tries than he concedes, the home side will get a rare win over the Storm and cement a top four spot. Regardless of the result, the Storm will finish in second place on the ladder. Unfortunately for the Broncos, the Storm conceded 40 points in the second half last week (and 28 in the last 20), and that's not the sort of result their master coach will tolerate. A string of Storm first graders return for this clash, including Hughes who gets a run before the finals to shake out the cobwebs. These sides met only a few weeks ago where the Storm prevailed 22-2, but I think we can all agree that was a unusual game - up until the chaotic run of Bronco injuries they looked like they were in that contest. With Grant still unavailable, along with a few other Storm forwards (Blore, Utoikamanu) I think the Broncos have a genuine edge in the middle. History (17 wins from the last 18 matches) would tell you to pick the Storm and move on, but I'm bold and silly enough to tip the Broncos in a game that they'll be desperate to win. Virtually a final before we start the finals.

Verdict - Broncos by 4

Result - Broncos 30 defeated Storm 14

Manly Sea Eagles vs New Zealand Warriors – Friday night – 4 Pines Park

Even if the Sea Eagles found a way into the top eight (and they won't), this is Cherry-Evans last game at Brookvale in Manly colours. I'm mindful they've already had a celebration for him when he played his 350th game, but if this is his last game for the club (and it is) it would be nice to go out with a win and let him lead the team song. Just as the Sea Eagles can mathematically make the top eight, the Warriors can mathematically make the top four. They'd need the two teams above them (Sharks and Broncos) to lose. That's a much more believable set of events, and they'll already know one of those outcomes before Friday night kick-off. Of greater concern is the Warriors recent form - their last four wins have been over the teams running 11th, 15th, 16th and 17th. Manly are better than that, especially so at home.

Verdict - Sea Eagles by 10

Result - Sea Eagles 27 defeated Warriors 26

Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – Allianz Stadium

The rugby league gods have delivered again. A disappointing year for the Rabbitohs but they have an opportunity to finish the season doing what they love - pissing off the Sydney Roosters. Should they win on Friday night there's every chance the Roosters will miss the top eight this season, and that might be motivation enough. To add some spice this game takes place at the venue that these two clubs have been squabbling over for some time. A real shame that Mitchell isn't available to play, because is exactly the sort of game he could pick up and win on his own. Notably, Murray (who hasn't played all season) and Wighton are lacing on the boots. More than handy inclusions. For the Roosters, the only change is the return of Sam Walker, and he's a handy inclusion too. If this is a tight contest, and I think that's likely, the goal-kicking of Walker and the occasional moment of creative alchemy might get the Chooks home. Given the way they finished the game last week against the Storm, I expect they'll be full of confidence. Should the Rabbitohs pull out a game for the ages, Johnston needs three tries to break the try-scoring record. If you're going to break a record like that, this is exactly the sort of game you want to break it in. 8th plays 13th, but it's the game of the round I say.

Verdict - Roosters by 4

Result - Roosters 36 defeated Rabbitohs 6

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday afternoon – WIN Stadium, Wollongong

The Panthers welcome back most of their regular first graders on Sunday, although To'o and Martin get another week to get themselves ready for a very different finals campaign to recent seasons. Should they win another premiership, they'll need to do so by winning four games away from home in four weeks. A big ask. It starts with a confidence building win on the road over the Dragons, who were disappointing against the Sea Eagles last weekend. Can't see them turning things around in this.

Verdict - Panthers by 13

Result - Panthers 40 defeated Dragons 20

Gold Coast Titans vs Wests Tigers – Saturday night – Cbus Super Stadium

This is the first of just two games this round where both teams are definitely playing their last game of the year. For the Titans it's been about as bad as it could be. But despite that, a win at home on Saturday give them a very good chance of missing the wooden spoon. Something to play for. Two interesting inclusions in their seventeen for this - former Wallaby fly-half Carter Gordon makes his long-awaited debut for the Titans in the centres, and Cooper Bai, whose Dad was handy, makes his debut off the bench. Cooper is a backrow/lock and impressed for Qld in the under 19s Origin game earlier this year. These sides met in round 20 at Leichhardt Oval where a 79th minute field goal for Doueihi made the difference - note that the Titans scored more tries than the Tigers in that game. Home ground advantage, a chance to farewell Hasler and Foran, and the hope of dodging a wooden spoon are enough reasons for me to tip the Titans in this. The Tigers have impressed late in season 2025 and are a team on the rise, but when you don't have much to play for and your last game of the year is on the Gold Coast, there's some chance they might not be completely focused on football.

Verdict - Titans by 4

Result - Titans 36 defeated Tigers 28

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday night – Accor Stadium

No rest for the wicked Bulldogs, even though the result of this game will have no impact on their ladder position. The Sharks can finish as high as fourth, providing the Broncos lose and the Warriors don't win by panels...lots of panels. They'll know the outcomes for those two before Saturday night, so their fate may already be sealed. I'm using the round 4 clash as my reference point here, where the Bulldogs were comfortable winners 20-6 at Shark Park. The Bulldogs were without Burton, Kikau and Galvin for that game, and they're a much The Dogs are more formidable opponent at home.

Verdict - Bulldogs by 7

Result - Sharks 24 defeated Bulldogs 6

Redcliffe Dolphins vs Canberra Raiders – Sunday afternoon – Kayo Stadium

Yet another game where we will be better positioned to make a judgement call after earlier games in the round have been played. Sadly, we don't get that luxury. Should the Roosters lose to the Rabbitohs on Friday night, the Dolphins will be playing for their first ever top eight finish. A terrific result for a young club that has had its depth tested all season. The Raiders can afford to rest players before the final and are choosing to do so. Given the line-ups, it's hard not to choose the Dolphins - they don't get to play many games on the peninsula, and this game has been sold out for weeks. Even if a top eight finish isn't up for grabs, they'll want to end the season with a winning performance at home. Note that Herbie Farnworth is edging closer to a return. Some chance he's a late inclusion here, particularly if they're playing for a finals spot.

Verdict - Dolphins by 14

Result - Dolphins 62 defeated Raiders 24

Parramatta Eels vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – CommBank Stadium

Once again, another game where previous results may have a huge impact on this one. Should the Titans beat the Tigers earlier in the round, the Knights will need to win this to dodge a wooden spoon. If the Titans lose, not so much to play for, although they might like to win their last game under coach Adam O'Brien. The Eels, my early tip to win the wooden spoon have been in good form in recent weeks. Wins over top eight teams (Broncos, Roosters, Warriors) is good enough form for this, particularly at CommBank where the Knights have a poor record. The coach has named Brown in the halves which gives the Moses/Brown halves combination one more chance to do their thing together.

Verdict - Eels by 10

Result - Eels 66 defeated Knights 10

Wally Lewis - round twenty seven selections (in bold)

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

• Broncos vs STORM
• SEA EAGLES vs Warriors
• ROOSTERS vs Rabbitohs
• Dragons vs PANTHERS
• Titans vs TIGERS
• BULLDOGS vs Sharks
• DOLPHINS vs Raiders
• EELS vs Knights