Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Friday night – McDonald Jones Stadium

These sides met in round 10 at Wollongong where the Knights were dominant victors 44 to 10. Not a lot has changed since then, and this game will be played at a venue where the Knights will likely be better, and the Dragons likely be worse. Ponga and Lucas have been named to play after lacing on the boots on Wednesday night. Even if they both pulled out, I'd likely pick the home side anyway.

Verdict - Knights by 20

Result - Knights 22 defeated Dragons 20

Wests Tigers vs Redcliffe Dolphins – Saturday afternoon – Campbelltown Sports Stadium

In their first few seasons, the depth of the Dolphins roster would get tested, and not surprisingly for a new NRL side, found out. As a measure of how far they have come in a short space of time, the Dolphins look set to rest their five players that took to the field on Wednesday night. Despite resting their Origin stars and playing away from home, they're a very warm favourite to beat the Tigers on Saturday. It's the same line-up that beat the Roosters 48-10 last week, so you can understand why the Dolphins coach would give them another run. They've won 6 in a row, and their last two losses were a 2 point loss to the team running second, and a 1 point loss to the team running first. It's proper form, and if their roster stays fit and well they are a premiership threat. This won't be an easy game for them though. The Tigers are one team who aren't interrupted much by the Origin series - their one representative in game two (Koroisau) didn't even get on the field and will be keen to get up and going on Saturday. They had an emotional win at Leichhardt last round and they may come down a bit from that. Notably, their recent record at Campbelltown is less impressive.

Verdict - Dolphins by 4

Result - Dolphins 36 defeated Tigers 22

Gold Coast Titans vs Penrith Panthers – Saturday night – Cbus Super Stadium

The Titans haven't beaten the Panthers this decade, but they're some chance here given the circumstances. The Panthers have named their Origin players on an extended bench, but if history is a guide they're not likely to play. That the Panthers are six points clear on the ladder gives them some freedom to manage their roster, and if any of them take part on Saturday I'll be surprised. They've also lost McLean to injury so there's a fair bit of shuffling going on. The Titans need every win they can find, and have named their Origin duo in the starting thirteen. They can be competitive in this, but they're yet to beat a top eight team this season, and the Panthers are clearly one of those.

Verdict - Panthers by 8

Result - Titans 19 defeated Panthers 18

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles  – Saturday night – Accor Stadium

For many years I've said that the Sea Eagles are an entirely different side when Tom Trbojevic is available. I still think that's true, but perhaps less true. In any case, his return is timely with the injury Faulalo who is an undeniable talent. The Bulldogs have given us what I'll call a "Phil Gould special", naming Crichton to play on Saturday after being too injured to play on Wednesday night. A shout out to the rehab team for getting their captain up and available in such a short period of time. His inclusion won't change the outcome.

Verdict - Sea Eagles by 10

Result - Bulldogs 13 defeated Sea Eagles 12

New Zealand Warriors vs North Queensland Cowboys – Sunday afternoon – One NZ Stadium, Christchurch

Just like the Titans against the Panthers, the Cowboys haven't won a game in New Zealand this decade either. That's made even harder because those pesky Kiwis have shunted this game down to the south island in the middle of winter. This game sold out so long ago I can't even remember when, and it's the first rugby league game in the new Christchurch stadium. It's a terrific venue, and seems a logical home for the next NRL team. It's unlikely that Barnett or Capewell will play for the home side, but the Cowboys have named Cotter to back up from Wednesday. The other big inclusion for the Cowboys is Nanai, who bolsters a forward pack that I think has a slight edge over the Warriors. On a cold day the Warriors are a warm favourite, and while I can't quite tip the Cowboys I do expect a close contest in what looks to me like the match of the round.

Verdict - Warriors by 2

Result - Warriors 38 defeated Cowboys 20

Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders – Sunday afternoon – AAMI Park

I gave the Raiders another chance last week and they let me down, again. I'm putting them in the bin. Not even looking at team line-ups anymore.

Verdict - Storm by default

Result - Storm 42 defeated Raiders 20

Sydney Roosters vs Cronulla Sharks – Sunday night – Allianz Stadium

A tricky affair, with so many Roosters backing up (or not backing up) from Wednesday night. At least this is the last game of the round, so they have more time to recover from Wednesday night than others. The Sharks have two of their own backing up from Wednesday, although Fonua-Blake should be pretty fresh after limited game time. Note that Hynes and Brailey have been named as reserves. It's unlikely they'll be called up for Sunday, but not impossible. The Chooks have a very good record at this ground and will be keen to bounce back after a poor showing last week. I expect they will.

Verdict - Roosters by 7

Result - Roosters 27 defeated Sharks 8

Wally Lewis - round sixteen selections (in bold)

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

• KNIGHTS vs Dragons
• Tigers vs DOLPHINS
• Titans vs PANTHERS
• Bulldogs vs SEA EAGLES
• WARRIORS vs Cowboys
• STORM vs Raiders
• ROOSTERS vs Sharks