Sharks (5) v Cowboys (14)
Thursday, 7.50pm, PointsBet Stadium
Nicho Hynes, Briton Nikora and Will Kennedy will all be early contenders for the inaugural Paul Green Medal. This will be a special night to celebrate a special man. Green would be proud of the way the Sharks are playing, in particular their in-form trio. The Cowboys had a morale-boosting win over Newcastle, but will need to tighten their defence again to be any chance of a win in the Shire. Sharks by 8.
Christian Nicolussi
Eels (12) v Knights (11)
Friday, 6pm, CommBank Stadium
Brad Arthur’s task of hauling Parramatta back to the brink of the top eight has taken a huge blow with Reagan Campbell-Gillard to miss a minimum of eight weeks with a groin injury suffered in Darwin.
Stephen Crichton, Jack Wighton, Adam Reynolds, Tom Trbojevic and Nicho Hynes.Credit: Getty
Wiremu Greig has been named in the starting side with Makahesi Makatoa on the bench. Bailey Simonsson (concussion) is also out with Haze Dunster to come onto the wing. Kalyn Ponga came through his first match back unscathed for the Knights with Adam O’Brien naming an unchanged side to that which went down late to the Cowboys in Townsville. They’ll need to correct a worrying recent record against the Eels, who have won their last five against Newcastle, including during the 2021 finals series. Knights by 2.
Adam Pengilly
Broncos (1) v Rabbitohs (4)
8pm Friday, Suncorp Stadium
This could be the game of the year. Both sides are in the top four and coming off impressive wins against tough opponents, with the winner to emerge as a genuine threat for the premiership.
This will be Adam Reynolds’ second clash against his former club and the veteran pivot will be looking for another statement performance. The Broncos beat South Sydney twice last year when they were struggling and now take them on at home while on top of their game. Ezra Mam’s suspension for a hip-drop tackle is a big blow, with Jock Madden filling in at five-eighth. But with Pat Carrigan and Tom Flegler skittling opponents in the middle, the Broncos should remain top of the ladder. Broncos by 4.
Adrian Proszenko
Raiders (15) v Dolphins (7)
3pm Saturday, McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga
We are about to find out just how much of a distraction the Jack Wighton signing circus will have on Canberra.
The former NSW and Australian star will be looking for a huge performance to justify all the hype and money that has been coming his way. The Dolphins, meanwhile, continue to confound. They were awful in the opening half against the Titans, but managed to equal the biggest comeback in NRL history to pull off a remarkable win. The most concerning number for Wayne Bennett would be 24; the number of points his side concede on average every game. There is another stat that could prove telling: Bennett has won nine of the past 11 games against Ricky Stuart. We’re tipping Stuart will get one back. Raiders by 4.
Adrian Proszenko
Sea Eagles (2) v Titans (10)
It wasn’t a convincing win for Manly against the Tigers last week, and they’ve come out of it with some crucial players in the casualty ward.
Josh Schuster and Brad Parker hit the bench this week and, despite news he’s been cleared, Tom Trbojevic has injury fears hanging over him. The Battle of Brookvale showed us what Manly are capable of even when they’re missing some of their best, but they need to fix up their defensive line if they want to stay in the game. The Titans were lethal in their first half against the Dolphins last week. Tanah Boyd and Moeaki Fotuaika put on a masterclass, but the team slacked off in the second-half and blew a 26-point lead to lose the game. Kieran Foran comes up against his former club for the first time, and that might just be enough to drag the Titans over the line. Titans by 4.
Billie Eder
Panthers (3) v Tigers (17)
7.35pm Saturday, Carrington Park, Bathurst
There is so much doubt over several Panthers, including Nathan Cleary, but even then the Wests Tigers are unlikely to trouble the reigning premiers.
Wests Tigers skipper Api Koroisau is still chasing his first win with the club.
Penrith only had three opportunities against Souths and capitalised on every one. Spencer Leniu has been a machine up front in the absence of James Fisher-Harris, while Stephen Crichton has also been busy in recent weeks. Api Koroisau continues to be the Tigers best, but he is playing in a team completely shot for confidence. They pushed Manly, but Manly were awful. Panthers by 10.
Christian Nicolussi
Warriors (6) v Roosters (9)
2pm Sunday, Mt Smart Stadium
Both teams have a short turnaround this week, and they’ll both be feeling a bit bruised from their Anzac Day games.
Victor Radley is sent to the sin bin on Anzac Day.Credit: Getty
The upside for the Warriors is they get to return to Auckland, but they’ll be without fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and skipper Tohu Harris. The Warriors haven’t lost a game in New Zealand this season, but they’ll need veteran playmaker Shaun Johnson to step up and give the team direction. It’s a crucial game for the Roosters who are just outside the top eight and still searching for confidence in the Luke Keary/Joseph Manu halves pairing. The Roosters came out on top when these two sides played in round two, but Victor Radley will need to keep his head screwed on if they hope to do it again. Roosters by 8.
Billie Eder
Dragons (13) v Bulldogs (16)
4.05pm Sunday, WIN Stadium
Two teams battling to stay in finals contention meet in the final match of the round with Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo wielding the axe. Playmaker Kyle Flanagan has been dropped to the extended reserves list with Josh Reynolds named to be Matt Burton’s halves partner with teenager Karl Oloapu waiting in the wings. St George Illawarra face a short turnaround from their gripping Anzac Day defeat, with hat-trick hero Tautau Moga the only absentee with injury. Max Feagai has been named to join twin brother Mat in the Dragons’ back line. The Dragons have won five of their last seven against the Bulldogs spanning back to 2019. Bulldogs by 4.
Adam Pengilly
