Cowboys (14) v Panthers (1)
Friday 8pm, Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Hard game to pick given both sides are missing five stars due to State of Origin duty. The absence of Cowboys Reuben Cotter, Reece Robson, Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai has been cancelled out by the unavailability of Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o. This is the ultimate test of depth for teams coming off impressive victories: North Queensland smashed Melbourne, while Penrith pumped the Roosters. Jason Taumalolo is back for the Cowboys, while Moses Leota returns for the Panthers. The big difference between the teams is defence; the northerners have conceded 202 more points than the Panthers already this season. Panthers by 6.
Adrian Proszenko
Knights (13) v Roosters (12)
Saturday 3pm, McDonald Jones Stadium
Despite losing to the Broncos last week, the Knights will be invigorated by how close the contest was.
Newcastle lose Tyson Frizell to Origin duties, but they come up against a Roosters side in deep trouble. Lachlan Fitzgibbon returns from a calf injury, and winger Dominic Young gets a chance to show his future team what they have to look forward to. For the Roosters, it’s an uphill battle with injuries galore and their best point-scorer across the past two rounds (James Tedesco) at Origin camp. A bunch of rookies get a start in Newcastle, including Sandon Smith, who partners Luke Keary in the halves. Knights by 18.
Billie Eder
Eels (9) v Sea Eagles (8)
Saturday 5.30pm, CommBank Stadium
The Arthur Cup will be fun to watch when Eels coach Brad Arthur tries to stop his son Jake in the Manly No.7 jersey. Which Eels player will be brave enough to whack Arthur jnr? Both teams are missing key men because of Origin, but the Sea Eagles are sure to be impacted more by being without Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic. They were great against the Dolphins last week. But the Eels still have plenty of quality, including skipper Clint Gutherson, while Reagan Campbell-Gillard will take it to the visiting pack. Eels by 6.
Christian Nicolussi
Tigers (16) v Storm (3)
Saturday 7.35pm, Campbelltown Sports Stadium
The Tigers have shown signs of life over the past month, but it’s unclear where the points are going to come from following the loss of Api Koroisau and Luke Brooks to injury.
Dom Young, Jake Arthur, Nicho Hynes, Jason Taumalolo, Luke Brooks.Credit: Getty, NRL Photos
The Storm will be without the Maroons trio of Cameron Munster, Harry Grant and Xavier Coates, but their roster goes a lot deeper than that of the wooden-spooners. Melbourne are also back in form after blowing Cronulla off the park and there’s a chance Justin Olam could play following a head knock. Playing at home should be an advantage, but the Tigers have lost seven straight at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. That streak is about to get worse. Storm by 8.
Adrian Proszenko
Sharks (5) v Bulldogs (15)
Sunday 4.05pm, PointsBet Stadium
Last week was one to forget for Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes, and he’ll be wanting to have a blinder at Shark Park after missing out on selection for Origin II. Royce Hunt is out with an ankle injury, but Thomas Hazelton gets a start via the bench. The Bulldogs will be missing speedster Josh Addo-Carr who got another call-up for the Blues, but Canterbury have plenty of firepower in Reed Mahoney and Matt Burton. Kyle Flanagan also makes a return to the 17 after having a cracker of a game in reserve grade last week. Sharks by 14.
Billie Eder
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