Canterbury Bulldogs vs Brisbane Broncos – Thursday night – Accor Stadium

After the most thrilling of finales for the Broncos in season 2025, ending this season in a mostly empty Sydney venue on a Thursday night feels apt after a year no-one would call a success. What went wrong? Perhaps the end of season review will find some answers. The final game in a Broncos jersey for Haas - if he's not the best prop forward to play for the club he's on the podium (and they've had some good ones). No significant changes for either side. The Bulldogs went down to the Panthers last round but it was a genuine, high-quality contest. The day prior, the Broncos almost conceded 50 at home against a team outside the top eight. At times their defence was wafer thin and they were punished accordingly. I doubt the Bulldogs can rack up a score like that - they've only scored more than 30 points in a game three times all year. But they should win. As for the Broncos, they should all get mirrors for Christmas and spend the summer taking a good hard look at themselves.

Verdict - Bulldogs by 10

Result - Broncos 34 defeated Bulldogs 20

Gold Coast Titans vs Redcliffe Dolphins – Friday night – Cbus Super Stadium

As things have fallen, there's not much for either side to play for here. The Titans have avoided the wooden spoon and it's highly unlikely they can do enough to pull themselves above the Broncos on the ladder. The Dolphins can't crack the top two, and are at no risk of finishing any lower than third, and I'll explain why in a moment. The Phins were terrific against the Chooks last week and have named much the same side. Cobbo (having his best season yet) is resting an ankle before the finals with Naufahu getting a run on the wing. The Titans have Fermor and Verrills returning in the middle, which should tighten things up a touch. That said, they have conceded 30+ points for five games in a row, and a similar result looks likely here. Fingers crossed the Phins get through the 80 minutes without injury, HIAs, suspensions etc. They've got an away game to the Warriors or the Panthers next week to contend with.

Verdict - Dolphins by 14

Result - Dolphins 24 defeated Titans 20

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

The Roosters are embedded at fourth and fourth is where they shall stay. Eleven changes to the side that lost to the Dolphins last week, and only two of those are without choice - the injured Walker and concussed Radley. It's likely they would have been rested if they were available anyway. Crichton could have returned for this if needed, but he gets one more week as well. Meanwhile, just about everyone wants to play for the Rabbitohs on Friday, as Arrow leads the team out in his 100th game for the club. It all points to a win for the Bunnies, and if they win by enough they can end the season in 5th place.

Verdict - Rabbitohs by 36

Result - Rabbitohs 50 defeated Roosters 20

New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles – Saturday afternoon – Go Media Stadium

The Warriors are in front in the race for the minor premiership by the smallest possible margin, but they'll need a big win on Saturday to claim the JJ Giltinan Shield. It won't be easy either, with the Sea Eagles racking up 44 points in successive games. It feels like they have come good only when the prospect of a finals berth was no longer possible. They have the best points differential of the teams not playing finals, and a win here means they finish the season in 9th place. Not a success, but not a failure either. The Warriors have named an entirely different spine this weekend, with Nikoll-Klokstad, Harris-Tavita and Martin returning and Healey replacing Egan at dummy-half. Doesn't hurt to give them a run together before things get serious. I've spoken before about the value of a top two finish for the Warriors. If they can avoid a road trip to Australia before the grand final they can absolutely win the premiership. They haven't won one yet, but this is best chance they've had in their history thus far. Up the Wahs!

Verdict - Warriors by 4

Result - Warriors 31 defeated Sea Eagles 30

North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders – Saturday night – Queensland Country Bank Stadium

This could easily be the game of the round. The Cowboys aren't exactly flying as they head into the finals and a confidence-boosting win might be just what they need. What they get here is an oppostion which, on their day, could beat anyone. Sadly, the Raiders haven't had many of those days this season. The last home game of the season for the Cowboys and I'm expecting a big crowd. They've won seven of 12 at home, but their two worst performances of the season were in Townsville. If there's an upset result in round 26 this game looks the most likely, but I'm tipping the Cowboys in a close one.

Verdict - Cowboys by 2

Result - Raiders 50 defeated Cowboys 30

Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm – Saturday night – Ocean Protect Stadium

The Sharks have decided 5th or 6th is good enough, and are resting a bunch of key players this week. A very different spine, and two new centres for the home team - don't be surprised if the Storm target the centres in attack. Meaney and Wishart are having their last game for the Storm before they head to Perth and it wouldn't surprise me if they both scores tries on Saturday night. Few seem to be talking about how poorly the Sharks are going - their last four games have been against teams running 12th, 13th, 16th and 17th. They won just one of those, and not by much. As a former Townsvillager I'm hoping they can retain 5th place because I expect the Cowboys can knock them over in week one of the finals. I can't see them holding out the Storm, and another confidence-sapping loss before the finals doesn't sound like what they need.

Verdict - Storm by 8

Result - Storm 24 defeated Sharks 20

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Parramatta Eels – Sunday afternoon – WIN Stadium

It's a bit of a nothing burger this one - two teams with nothing to really play for other than some bragging rights over a local(ish) rival. Whatever the outcome, neither team can move from their current ladder position. Both teams are showing signs of improvement late in the season, and I'll give fans of both sides this - they'll be much better in 2027. It wouldn't surprise if one or both of them found themselves in the battle for a top eight spot next year. That's definitely something, and I think the NRL are a better competition when these two teams have competitive teams. As for Sunday, I'll lean to the Eels, who were very good last week against a team they aren't meant to be beating.

Verdict - Eels by 4

Result - Dragons 24 defeated Eels 22

Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – CommBank Stadium

I was half expecting the Panthers to rest players for this, but I was clearly wrong. It looks to me like winning the minor premiership is important to them, and for that I can only stand and applaud. I have long thought the minor premier doesn't get enough recognition for ending a long season at the top of the table. To do so, the Panthers need to get their noses in front of the Warriors, just one points differential point ahead of them. Not only are they not resting players, they've named Kenny at dummy-half and Yeo on an extended bench. They might start taking players off in the second half if they can, but they mean business and it's hard to imagine them losing.

Verdict - Panthers by 28

Result - Panthers 38 defeated Tigers 10

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

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

• BULLDOGS vs Broncos
• Titans vs DOLPHINS
• RABBITOHS vs Roosters
• WARRIORS vs Sea Eagles
• COWBOYS vs Raiders
• SHARKS vs Storm
• Dragons vs EELS
• PANTHERS vs Tigers