Brisbane Broncos vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs @Suncorp Stadium, Thursday 7:50pm

Heading into half-time last round Brisbane were down 12-6 to last placed Newcastle, they eventually came out on top 34-22 but the result would’ve no doubt sent a bit of a scare through the Brisbane camp. Canterbury had the bye last round but before that they also faced Newcastle. Like Brisbane they were made to do it tough as they only just escaped with a 20-18 win courtesy of a late Moses Mbye try.

In for Brisbane are Josh McGuire, Kodi Nikorima and Matt Gillett, while Jaydn Su'A is out. Coming into Canterbury’s starting line-up are the big, hard-hitting forwards Josh Jackson and David Klemmer, while Brett Morris also returns and out is Asipeli Fine.

Brisbane can and will put up a big score in this game meaning Canterbury’s backline will have to do similar. So far their lacklustre backline this year has scored a measly 17 tries in a combined 57 games. Look for that back five of the Morris brothers, Will Hopoate, Chase Stanley and Marcelo Montoya to be able to step it up a notch for this hugely important game.

Why Brisbane will win: Fortress Suncorp. Brisbane have won four of their past five against Canterbury at Suncorp Stadium and are seven of nine there this season. Their only losses their so far were by one point to North Queensland and to first placed Melbourne. Expect Brisbane to make it eight of ten.

Our Tip: Brisbane by 10.

Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights @Allianz Stadium, Friday 6:00pm

The big question heading into this clash is how Sydney winger Blake Ferguson will perform after having his and NSW team mate Josh Dugan pre-Origin drinking session be well publicised during the week. He has eight tries and one try assist from thirteen appearances this season but this will have no doubt affected his state of mind coming into this encounter.

Before their bye an Origin depleted Sydney side overcame South Sydney 14-12 in a tense encounter. As for Newcastle they were only down by two heading into around the 70th minute of their clash with Brisbane before they let in two late tries to go down 34-22. These teams are trending in the opposite directions as a win would help Sydney in their chase of first place while a victory for Newcastle would help them in their struggle to avoid finishing in last place.

Origin stars Blake Ferguson, Mitchell Pearce and Dylan Napa all return for Sydney while Jake Friend is out. Meanwhile for Newcastle Shaun Kenny-Dowall has been named to take on his former club after a mid-season transfer.

Why Sydney will win: This game could very well come down to each club's halves and who can control the game better. Not only overall are Sydney’s halves more experienced but they also are in scintillating form this year. Luke Keary and Mitchell Pearce have a combined nine tries and twenty-four try assists this season. They’ll be able to guide Sydney to a victory.

Our Tip: Sydney by 14.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs @Southern Cross Group Stadium, Friday 7:50pm

Cronulla in their last clash went down 30-10 against the Gold Coast. That effort saw them slip all the way from second place to fifth place, they will be wanting to turn it around for this one. Meanwhile in Cairns South Sydney were easily disposed of losing 23-10 against North Queensland. Despite mathematically still being in the race for a finals spot it would appear that their season is all but over after last weeks blow. At this point in the season they are playing for pride and trying to bring back a bit of respect to the green and red colours.

In a massive boost to Cronulla James Maloney returns to the halves. For South’s Aaron Gray has been named to start while Damien Cook has been named on the bench.

Luke Lewis is the main man for this game. He is celebrating his 300th NRL appearance and is just the 28th player in the history of the game to do so. Last years Clive Churchill Medallist is still performing at the age of 33 have made just under 400 tackles this season and having scored a long range intercept try not to long ago.

Why Cronulla will win: Last year's Grand Final winners have been in a bit of a slump lately (two wins from their past five games). Amongst the low-lights was last week's pathetic effort against the Gold Coast and losing to Manly at home. They’ll be looking to change all of that with first place still within their reach. Expect them to bounce back strongly.

Our Tip: Cronulla by 13.

Penrith Panthers vs Gold Coast Titans @Pepper Stadium, Saturday 3:00pm

Penrith had to come back twice last Friday night as they were down 12-6 and 22-18 before they eventually won out by a score-line of 34-22. The Gold Coast on the other hand did it easy beating Cronulla 30-10 in one of their best efforts of the season. Penrith have won their past two games and only sit a win outside of the Top Eight. This could be a defining game for them in the context of their season.

For Penrith Matt Moylan returns to the halves as does Peter Wallace at hooker. Coming into the lock position is Moses Leota, while influential forward Trent Merrin is out. For the Gold Coast Morgan Boyle has been named on their bench.

Nathan Cleary has been one of the success stories of Penrith’s season so far. The son of current NRL coach Ivan Cleary has made the halfback spot his own and has helped propel Penrith up the ladder and competing for a finals spot. At times this season he has had teams on a string and Saturday should be no different.

Why Penrith will win: Penrith have been in red-hot form lately winning six of their past eight games. Not only that but in the process are being led by some of the best attacking threats in the competition with the likes of the previously mentioned Cleary, Moylan and Tyrone Peachey. This should be a very entertaining game to watch but in the end Penrith should prevail.

Our Tip: Penrith by four.

Canberra Raiders vs Melbourne Storm @GIO Stadium, Saturday 5:30pm

Elliot Whitehead was the star for Canberra as he scored in extra-time to give them an 18-14 win over St George that kept their finals hopes alive for another week. As for Melbourne they couldn’t do much damage with most of their squad missing due to Origin as they lost 22-6 to Parramatta. A win for Melbourne helps them extend their lead at the top of the table while a win for Canberra (and a St George loss) leaves them only a win outside of the Top Eight.

In a blow to Canberra Josh Papalli is out of this encounter. As for Melbourne Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Cameron Munster, Cooper Cronk, Tim Glasby and Will Chambers all return from a victorious Queensland side raring to play club footy again. As a result of the mass changes Brodie Croft is one of the unfortunate players to get the cut.

In this important game for Canberra it will be up to Jack Wighton to control the game from the back. He has performed very well for Canberra this year with a combined ten tries/try assists along with an average of 161m per game. He’ll no doubt be up to the task.

Why Melbourne will win: Melbourne’s recent history against Canberra is quite dominating having won four of their past six clashes against them including eliminating them from last year's finals series. Melbourne this year have also shown that they don’t give a chance to those below them with a 28-6 W vs Penrith, 34-22 W vs St George, 40-12 W vs Newcastle and a 42-12 W vs Brisbane.

Our Tip: Melbourne by 16.

North Queensland Cowboys vs New Zealand Warriors @1300SMILES Stadium, Saturday 7:30pm

Heading into this game the big news is that New Zealand superstar Shaun Johnson will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. With New Zealand’s finals hopes already teetering on the edge that pretty much spells the end of yet another disappointing season for them. How his replacement Mason Lino performs could go a long way to deciding as to whether or not New Zealand get the win.

Last round North Queensland had a relatively easy time against South Sydney winning 23-10 up in Cairns. As for New Zealand they conceded sixteen straight points to lose to Penrith, 34-22. A win for North Queensland here could potentially move them into the Top Four.

Both sides have their star halves out in Johnathan Thurston for North Queensland and Shaun Johnson for New Zealand. This should impact greatly on both teams style of play.

Why New Zealand will win: For the past few seasons New Zealand have been one of the most frustrating teams to watch. Diamonds one day and rocks the next. Faced with yet another season without finals football New Zealand knows that it’s all on the line here. Pure desperation gets them the win in a tight affair.

Our Tip: New Zealand by two.

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles @WIN Stadium, Sunday, 2:00pm

Just like Blake Ferguson St George fullback Josh Dugan also had his name dragged through the mud throughout the week courtesy of his pre-Origin ‘drinking session’. Will he be in the right mindset to play an important game? St George are slowly slipping out of the Top Eight due to poor attacking options and injuries. He’ll have to right the ship but the major question is can he?

In their last game St George fought all the way to the end before eventually going down in Golden Point 18-14 to Canberra. As for Manly they came back from a 16-8 deficit to win strongly 28-16. That win pushed them into third place and provided Sydney lose their game and they win theirs, they’ll finish the round in second. A lot is on the line for the Northern Beaches outfit.

For St George Euan Aitken and Tyson Frizell come into the starting line-up while Blake Lawrie has been named on the bench. Out is Hame Sele. For Manly Brad Parker makes only his second appearance of the year as he starts as winger number one while Jackson Hastings has been named on the bench. Meanwhile Apisai Koroisau and Matthew Wright are out.

It was reported during the week that Manly prop Brenton Lawrence had signed a two year deal with the Gold Coast Titans starting next year. Lawrence is one of the hardest working players in the game and if there is any truth to those rumours he will be determined to show that he’s committed to Manly until their final game. Look for him to have a big performance.

Why Manly will win: With second place up for grabs and the likes of Dale Cherry-Evans and the Trbojevic brothers leading the charge they should be too much for St George.

Our Tip: Manly by 18.

Wests Tigers vs Parramatta Eels @ANZ Stadium, Sunday 4:00pm

In their last game Wests looked like they were going to score an un-likely win over Manly before they were eventually run down 28-16. As for Parramatta in their last clash they easily beat an Origin-ravaged Melbourne side 22-6 up in Melbourne. For Parramatta a win is crucial as they seek to stay ahead of the likes of St George, Penrith and Canberra in their quest for a finals berth. A win for Wests pretty much all but assures them of avoiding the Wooden Spoon. This game is crucial to both teams.

Manu Ma’u returns to Parramatta’s side while for Wests Michael Chee-Kam and Tim Grant have been named on their bench. While out for Wests are Jacob Liddle and Sauaso Sue.

The Parramatta backline has been ballistic this year scoring a combined 33 tries along with 21 try assists. If they stick to their current form for the year then there could be a smashing in store for Wests.

Why Parramatta will win: Not only are they trying to secure their first finals berth since the 2009 season but also Eels halfback Mitchell Moses will no doubt have a point or two to prove to his former team. Look for him to really show them what they’re missing in a big game from the number seven.

Our Tip: Parramatta by 20.