Parramatta Eels vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Thursday night – CommBank Stadium

A big win for the Bunnies last week in an emotional game for the club, dressed up in an all-white outfit that Mrs Thinker described as "revealing much more than it should". I'm no fashion expert but they did play well. The risk of course is getting back up again after an emotional week. Outside of the big win over the Broncos, their recent form has been patchy, but they are in the hunt for a top eight finish and we can't say that about the Eels. Mind you, I've been taken with recent Eels outings - a narrow low-scoring win over the Raiders, a narrow low-scoring loss against the Bulldogs, and a narrow loss to the Knights in Newcastle. They're typically better at CommBank too, but for the occasional blow out against what are usually the top tier teams (Panthers, Warriors). Their defence has definitely improved but their forwards will need to be switched on here against a Rabbitohs pack that looks the goods. Moses plays game 250 here, a fair milestone given he's probably got another 3 or 4 years of NRL ahead of him. If the other Mitchell (Latrell) was fit and firing I'd have to tip the Rabbits, but I'll go with the home side in an upset. They've got some difficult games in the weeks ahead - they might want to pick up two points here before things start getting much more difficult.

Verdict - Eels by 1

Result - Rabbitohs 32 defeated Eels 12

Gold Coast Titans vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Friday night – Cbus Super Stadium

The Titans look like they've done enough to avoid the wooden spoon this season, but this roster and this coach are almost certainly aiming higher than that. In the last three weeks, they've defeated the premiership teams from 2025 and 2024. Not shabby, and Tino returns, along with Randall, to bolster the pack. The Dogs have switched Crichton into the halves, and it's too early to say if that's a winning move. They've scored only four tries in their last two games - fair to say their attack isn't singing. It doesn't help that two of their most dangerous backrowers (Preston, Kikau) aren't available. Joining them is Tupouniua, and he's been one of their best this year. Looks like another upset result here.

Verdict - Titans by 4

Result - Bulldogs 30 defeated Titans 12

Brisbane Broncos vs Sydney Roosters – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

The Broncos have had a week off and a chance to reflect on how they're going and what they're doing wrong. Note that the last time they came off the bye they lost to the team running last. They do have Haas, Walsh and Staggs back for Friday night, but have lost Reynolds and Mam. The new halves pairing of Hunt and Duffy get a chance, with Hunt hoping to repay the club that have extended his tenure for another season. These sides met in round 9 in Sydney where the Chooks were comfortable winners and, to be honest, the Broncos have gotten worse since then. They've now lost 6 in a row and are conceded (on average) more than 36 points across those 6 losses. Hard to see them turning this around, and Nawaqanitawase might outscore the entire Broncos line-up all by himself.

Verdict - Roosters by 16

​​​​​​​Result - Roosters 24 defeated Broncos 18

Redcliffe Dolphins vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday afternoon – Suncorp Stadium

They'll barely finish tidying up the joint from the night before, as the crowd starts trundling in for the second game at Suncorp Stadium this weekend. And as premiership hopes for the Broncos fade, rugby league fans in the south east corner of Queensland will turn their attention to the regions best hope of premiership glory in 2026. The Dolphins are on a proper run, are in good shape and look set to play their first NRL finals this season. Katoa returns on Saturday, while Gilbert is out with a throat injury. For the Warriors, any hopes I had that Jackson Ford could win the Dally M are forlorn, with a pectoral injury seeing him on the sidelines until at least the finals. Note that these sides met in round 8, where the Warriors were narrow winners 20-18. That was the last game the Dolphins lost, but they lost to a Warriors side that included Ford, Fisher-Harris, Halasima, Boyd, Tuivasa-Sheck and Khan-Pereira. Given that hefty list of unavailables, and the change of venue, I'm tipping the Dolphins to continue with their winning ways. It's the game of the round, and by some margin.

Verdict - Dolphins by 4

​​​​​​​Result - Dolphins 26 defeated Warriors 24

North Queensland Cowboys vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday night – Queensland Country Bank Stadium

There are more than a few reasons to give the Cowboys a chance on Saturday night - there record against the Panthers is better than anyone else, and they happen to be celebrating game number 300 for Jason Taumalolo. It feels like he's passing milestones with every game, and he probably is. He's done a lot with those 300 games, possibly more than anyone, and deserves every accolade. The Panthers will be keen to spoil the party after losing to the Titans last round. Some hefty inclusions in Cleary, Yeo and To'o obviously help, a lot. They've lost just two games all season, and they're not likely to lose another here. Closer than most might be thinking though.

Verdict - Panthers by 1

​​​​​​​Result - Cowboys 26 defeated Panthers 12

Manly Sea Eagles vs Melbourne Storm – Saturday night – 4 Pines Park

No love lost between these two and there'll be plenty of feeling in the contest at a packed Brookvale on Saturday night. The Storm are slowly creeping back toward the tail end of the top eight, but they aren't there yet. This is a tough road trip and the injury to Hughes doesn't make it any easier. Wishart steps into the halves in his place. Manly have lost a few troops too, with Garrick, Hetherington and Wakeham joining the casualty list. They still have a solid pack of forwards, speed on the edges and a trio of Trbojevics. Happy to tip them at home.

Verdict - Sea Eagles by 4

​​​​​​​Result - Sea Eagles 30 defeated Storm 4

Canberra Raiders vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Sunday afternoon – GIO Stadium

Second last plays last, and I'm tipping the Raiders with the least amount of enthusiasm I can possibly muster. The Dragons recent record over the Raiders is very poor, and they haven't won in Canberra in more than a decade. Sasagi returns for the home side in the centres which helps. I'm far from confident though, and if I'm wrong I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.

Verdict - Raiders by 2

​​​​​​​Result - Raiders 24 defeated Dragons 16

Newcastle Knights vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – McDonald Jones Stadium

Some big returns for the Knights, with Ponga and Lucas back after getting some time off from club duties post-Origin. The Knights were able to eke out a win against the Dragons without them last round, but they're clearly a better side with that duo back in the fold. For the Tigers, Doueihi is a really important return. Their best form has been with him in the halves and they'll be much more formidable here and in the weeks ahead. Still, the Knights on a Sunday afternoon in Newcastle has long been a winning recipe, and their only losses at this venue this year have been against the top teams on the ladder. Looks a cracking contest but the Knights should get the job done.

Verdict - Knights by 8

​​​​​​​Result - Knights 12 defeated Tigers 6

Wally Lewis - round seventeen selections (in bold)

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

• Eels vs RABBITOHS
• TITANS vs Bulldogs
• Broncos vs ROOSTERS
• DOLPHINS vs Warriors
• Cowboys vs PANTHERS
• SEA EAGLES vs Storm
• RAIDERS vs Dragons
• KNIGHTS vs Tigers