Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers – Thursday night – Accor Stadium

Last season, the Raiders won the minor premiership with a points differential of +148. The Panthers are currently at +150 after five games. That's the highest points differential by any team after five games ever. If they can keep it up, their end of season points differential will be +720. It won't be, but it's a fair indication of how good they're going. Keep in mind they haven't been playing easybeats. Those five games include matches against both 2025 grand finalist and another two 2025 finalists. They're humming along at another level. As for the Bulldogs, they're more than one level below the Panthers at the minute. Losing Crichton to a knee injury hardly helps. They can be better, but not better enough to give the Panthers a fright on Thursday night.

Verdict - Panthers by 28

Result - Bulldogs 32 defeated Panthers 16

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles – Friday night – WIN Stadium

The Dragons are on another level to everyone else too, but not in a good way. 0 from 5 and their coach looked physically ill at the post-match conference after the 32-0 loss to the Cowboys last week. Another savage loss on Friday, at home against a team with just the one win to their name, and Flanagan might be facing a chat with HR on Monday morning. Gutherson is out with a hamstring injury, replaced by Tyrell Sloan at fullback. Flanagan returns in the halves after looking like he may never play again after a brutal concussion in round four. As for Manly, the new coach clearly inspired the team to bring their footy boots last week. Racking up 50 points against a team they weren't expected to beat is quite the statement. Their former coach would have been feeling bad after his dismissal, but a response like that would have him feeling even worse. They're likely to come back to earth a little this week, but should still be too good for the Dragons.

Verdict - Sea Eagles by 14

Result - Sea Eagles 28 defeated Dragons 18

Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

A return to form for the Cowboys means this game gets the billing it deserves - a contest that has given us many memorable clashes in seasons past. The injury to Walsh takes some of the gloss and glamour away, with Arthars filling in at fullback. Reynolds has been named, but a niggly groin could mean a late change in the halves. The Broncos are chasing a third successive win over a Qld rival on Friday night, but this could be the hardest of the three. The Cowboys early (and only) season losses were to the Knights and the Tigers - those results don't look quite so bad right now. The Broncos have won the last six clashes with the Cowboys, but I can see a change of fortunes here. The Cowboys in an upset.

Verdict - Cowboys by 4

Result - Cowboys 35 defeated Broncos 31

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday afternoon – Optus Stadium, Perth

The first game of the double-header in Perth at one of the nicest stadiums in the country - such a shame its the wrong shape. Brandon Smith returns for the Bunnies, while the injured Savage is replaced by Stuart for the Raiders. It's starting to feel like I was wrong about the Raiders - there were plenty who thought they would struggle to perform as they did in 2025, but I expected more of the same from them in 2026. I hope I can still be right, but it feels like I'm wrong. Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs are travelling nicely as one of the best coaches in the business has a roster that hasn't been decimated by injuries as it was in 2025. The Rabbitohs recent record in Perth isn't flash, but on form this season they are the logical selection.

Verdict - Rabbitohs by 7

​​​​​​​Result - Raiders 36 defeated Rabbitohs 34

Cronulla Sharks vs Sydney Roosters – Saturday afternoon – Optus Stadium, Perth

For some time now, I have assumed William Kennedy was going to sign with the Perth Bears. Perhaps I just dreamt it one night and have been waiting for the announcement. It hasn't happened yet, but this weekend would be a logical time to let everyone know. He's also been one of the Sharks more notable performers in recent weeks, so the timing is right in that regard too. The Sharks have been impressive winners over the last two rounds but I will always doubt them over the genuine NRL heavyweights. I think we can still include the Roosters in the heavyweight group. The Chooks will be nicely refreshed after getting the Easter weekend off and welcome back some vigour to their pack in Leniu and Radley. Providing the Roosters forwards can hold their own, and I expect that they will, the Roosters backline has the firepower to win the scoreboard. Look for an aerial assault from the Roosters in attack, targeting the advantage their wingers (Tupou, Nawaqanitawase) have under the high ball.

Verdict - Roosters by 4

​​​​​​​Result - Roosters 34 defeated Sharks 22

Melbourne Storm vs New Zealand Warriors – Saturday night – AAMI Park

After two rounds the Storm were on top of the ladder which is their typical habitat. Since then, three straight losses have seen them tumble out of the top eight and all the way down to 11th...unfamiliar territory for one of the most consistent sporting teams of any persuasion in this country. They'll feel better being back at home, and the return of Howarth and Leo is a timely boost in the backline. The Warriors will test them, but their record in Melbourne isn't great and they're backing up from the away trip to Sydney last week. Bellamy wasn't shy about his feelings after the Storm loss last week, and he has a long history of getting his team into the right shape. I think they bounce back here in what looks like the game of the round.

Verdict - Storm by 4

​​​​​​​Result - Warriors 38 defeated Storm 14

Parramatta Eels vs Gold Coast Titans – Sunday afternoon – CommBank Stadium

No-one should tip the Titans lightly, especially away from home against a team that, all things being equal, should beat them on Sunday afternoon. But here I go again on my own. The Titans are showing me enough to convince me that they can be competitive here. No changes for the visitors after a competitive loss to the Broncos in round five. As for the Eels, a shorter turnaround from a game that went into overtime on Easter Monday. Add to that the injuries to Pezet, Russell, Simonsson and Twidle sees them unavailable. Moses and Addo-Carr head into Sunday with niggles too....so there's a lot of changes and potential changes to the Eels backline here. And it might be hard to lift themselves for this after a sellout last week against a local foe. This tip should come with some of disclaimer or warning, but:

Verdict - Titans by 4

​​​​​​​Result - Titans 52 defeated Eels 10

Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday afternoon – Campbelltown Sports Stadium

Even if you aren't a Tigers fan you have to give them some due - they're a very entertaining team to watch. The DNA of Benji Marshall is starting to flow through this roster, and it's a beautiful thing to witness. Even moreso at one of their suburban stadiums on a Sunday afternoon. Their recent record at Campbelltown is far from impressive, but they have every right to be optimistic heading into this contest. This will be a contest though, I have no doubt. The Knights keep on keeping on despite the injuries to so many key players. Added to that list is Bradman Best, and at some point the Knights will run out of viable footballers. They'll give this a shake though, and it wouldn't surprise me if they win again. I'll tip the Tigers though, and I'll tip my hat to Terrell May. He could be the best prop in the game by seasons end.

Verdict - Tigers by 4

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Result - Tigers 42 defeated Knights 22

Wally Lewis - round six selections (in bold)

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

• Bulldogs vs PANTHERS
• Dragons vs SEA EAGLES
• BRONCOS vs Cowboys
• RABBITOHS vs Raiders
• SHARKS vs Roosters
• STORM vs Warriors
• EELS vs Titans
• TIGERS vs Knights