CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS VS MELBOURNE STORM, FRIDAY, 8 JUNE 2017, 7:50 PM, SOUTHERN CROSS GROUP STADIUM
The best way to spark up an instant “traditional” rivalry is to play someone in a grand final. Thus, we have rugby league’s newest old rivalry in the form of the second-placed Sharks vs the table-topping Storm. The premiers rubbed salt into Melbourne’s 2016 grand final wounds back in round 6 with an 11-2 win down at AAMI. We reckon the Sharks will continue their winning streak over the Storm here. Smith and Maloney are back for their respective sides, while Cronk is being rested by Bellamy. Should still be a belter, this one.
VERDICT: SHARKS BY 2.

MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES VS NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS, FRIDAY, 9 JUNE 2017, 6:00 PM, LOTTOLAND
Who would have thought: the Sea Eagles in sixth spot at the halfway point of the season after such a horror start to their campaign. In the Fight The Traffic game for Round 14, they meet a humble Newcastle Knights side that is at least collecting experience along the way. Jono Wright comes in on the wing for the Eagles in the only big change to both sides – However! Fullback Tom Trbojevic has been named in the 21 jersey for the Eagles. Manly should score its eighth win of the year and third on the trot in this one.
VERDICT: SEA EAGLES BY 26.

Kodi Nikorima will be used in the halves for Broncos ahead of Ben Hunt. (Photo by Getty Images)

BRISBANE BRONCOS VS SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS, FRIDAY, 9 JUNE 2017, 7:50 PM, SUNCORP STADIUM
The Brisbane Broncos have a problem they don’t usually have around State of Origin time: they suddenly find themselves with some depth! Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has decided to drop regular and departing half Ben Hunt to the Queensland Cup, and is using in-form rising star Kodi Nikorima instead. Anthony Milford returns to the six jersey, with veteran Benji Marshall to play from the bench. The 13th-placed Rabbitohs are chasing their fifth win for the season, but probably aren’t going to find it at Suncorp against a full-strength Broncos seeking redemption after their heart-breaking loss to the Chooks last week.
VERDICT: BRONCOS BY 12.

GOLD COAST TITANS VS NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS, SATURDAY, 10 JUNE 2017, 3:00 PM, CBUS SUPER STADIUM
Hard to believe that the in-form Titans are on the same competition points as a team as inconsistent as Souths, but that’s the world we live in. Star hooker Nathan Peats is back for the GC. Jarryd Hayne returns to fullback, with Tyrone Roberts back to the bench. Will Zillman starts from the wing. The New Zealand Warriors, fair dinkum – do we dare predict how they’ll go? Look at that spine – look at that giant forward pack. Should be a premiership force but aren’t. They’re one of the great mysteries of modern rugby league.
VERDICT: TITANS BY 6.

Matt Moylan and the Panthers are chasing four wins on the trot. (Photo by Getty Images)

PENRITH PANTHERS VS CANBERRA RAIDERS, SATURDAY, 10 JUNE 2017, 5:30 PM, CARRINGTON PARK, BATHURST
Full credit to the Penrith Panthers for taking one game a year to the people of Bathurst. Whatever their ties to the Panthers’ empire, their bush-footy example should be taken on board by every Sydney club. This match is a round 14 semi-final for both of these teams, who were being paraded over the summer as the one-two combo for the top of the table! The Panthers are suddenly chasing four wins on the trot and are unchanged from their 38-8 whipping of the Dogs, while the Raiders will be without big man Shannon Boyd through injury.
VERDICT: PANTHERS BY 1.

PARRAMATTA EELS VS NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS, SATURDAY, 10 JUNE 2017, 7:30 PM, TIO STADIUM, DARWIN
Parramatta hits the road again, arriving in Darwin to take on the North Queensland Cowboys. Again, kudos to the Eels for their annual initiative – this one would have looked shocking on TV being played at their temporary home ground ANZ Stadium. Johnathan Thurston has been named in the 19 jersey – does that make him more of a chance than if he’d been named in the 21? Who knows … Mitchell Moses will have to be on his game defensively here against the Cows, who have sent shivers up the spines of the rest of the pack, having learnt to win without JT.
VERDICT: COWBOYS BY 6.

Will Boyd Cordner and the in-form Roosters spoil the Wests Tigers' Campbelltown party? (Photo by Getty Images)

WESTS TIGERS VS SYDNEY ROOSTERS, SUNDAY, 10 JUNE 2017, 4:00 PM, CAMPBELLTOWN STADIUM
The Wests Tigers return to Campbelltown to celebrate 30 years of matches at the old Orana Park. How good’s that? There’s aren’t enough games played at this great suburban ground. Wests will well and truly need the club spirit generated by legends like Trevor Cogger and Terry Lamb to get them through this one. They’ll meet a red-hot Roosters side which just seems to get better and better as the weeks roll on. The way they beat the Broncos last week without Origin half Mitchell Pearce was scary.
VERDICT: ROOSTERS BY 20.

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS VS ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS, MONDAY, 12 JUNE 2017, 4:00 PM, ANZ STADIUM
Footy on a Monday … works for us, too. Even people who usually don’t claim much of an emotional interest in the Bulldogs will be tuning in to this match to see if the team can finally get its season back on track. They were simply awful last week, but that’s no news flash. The good news for them is that Josh Reynolds, James Graham and Brett Morris are back. The Dragons will be boosted by news that their coach Mary McGregor will be at the helm for a few more years yet, having re-signed. We’re nominating this one as our Round 14 upset.
VERDICT: BULLDOGS BY 2.