Friday, 7.45pm, Brookvale Oval

Sea Eagles: 1. Brett Stewart  2. Jorge Taufua 3 Jamie Lyon (c) 4. Steve Matai 5. Peta Hiku 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Jake Trbojevic 9. Matt Ballin 10. Willie Mason 11. Feleti Mateo 12. Justin Horo 13. Blake Leary 14. Jesse Sene-Lefao 15. Michael Chee Kam 16 James Hasson 17. Josh Starling

Rabbitohs: 1. Greg Inglis (c) 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dylan Walker 4. Bryson Goodwin 5. Aaron Gray 6. Luke Keary 7. Adam Reynolds 8. George Burgess 9. Issac Luke 10. Tim Grant 11. Glenn Stewart 12. John Sutton 13. Chris McQueen. 14. Kyle Turner 15 Chris Grevsmuhl 16. David Tyrell 17. Tom Burgess 18. Jason Clark

Chris Boulous writes: Easily the match of the round as Glenn Stewart returns to Fortress Brookie for the first time looking to end the finals dreams of his former teammates. It will be no easy task as the Sea Eagles search for their third big scalp in a row after knocking off the Warriors and Broncos in consecutive weeks. Manly's famed one to seven is intact for a rare time in 2015 as Steve Matai makes his return and they will play behind a bits and pieces forward pack that has outplayed their more fancied rivals in recent weeks. The Rabbitohs enter the game off three straight wins and look infinitely better with their five points of attack back together – Greg Inglis, Luke Keary, Adam Reynolds, Issac Luke, John Sutton and that man Stewart, who will face brother Brett for only the second time.

Tip: Rabbitohs by 2

Ladbrokes: Sea Eagles $1.88, Rabbitohs $1.92

Broncos v Bulldogs

Slammin' Sam: Expect Sam Thaiday to have a big game following a loss.

Friday, 7.45pm, Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Lachlan Maranta 3. Jack Reed 4. Justin Hodges (c) 5. Jordan Kahu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Ben Hunt 8. Sam Thaiday 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Jarrod Wallace 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Corey Parker 14. Joe Ofahengaue 15. Mitchell Dodds 16. Corey Oates 17. Kodi Nikorima 18 Daley Copley

Bulldogs: 1. Brett Morris 2. Curtis Rona 3. Josh Morris, 4. Tim Lafai 5. Sam Perrett 6. Moses Mbye 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. James Graham (c) 11. Josh Jackson 12. Frank Pritchard 13. Greg Eastwood 14. Sam Kasiano 15. Shaun Lane 16. David Klemmer 17. Tim Browne 19. Lloyd Perrett 20. Corey Thompson 22. Danny Fualalo

Chris Boulous writes: Was the Broncos' 30-point loss to the Sea Eagles a temporary blip or the first sign of their demise? We will find out on Friday night when a hungry Bulldogs head north eager to keep their spot in the top eight. No doubt the Bulldogs will focus their attention on the middle third of the field with the returning Aiden Tolman joining James Graham, Sam Kasiano and David Klemmer in the best front row rotation in the competition. The Broncos have won the past four clashes between the two teams and no doubt will turn to the ageless Corey Parker to get their minor premiership hopes back on track.

Tip: Broncos  by 8

Ladbrokes: Broncos $1.45, Bulldogs $2.75

Warriors v Dragons

Saturday, 3pm, Westpac Stadium

Hot and cold: Which Warriors team will show up on Saturday? Photo: Getty Images

Warriors: 1 Sam Tomkins 2 Ken Maumalo 3 Jonathan Wright 4 Solomone Kata 5 Manu Vatuvei 6 Chad Townsend 7 Tuimoala Lolohea 8 Jacob Lillyman 9 Nathan Friend 10 Albert Vete 11 Ben Matulino 12 Simon Mannering (c) 13 Sebastine Ikahihifo. 14 Siliva Havili 15 Sam Lisone 16 Charlie Gubb 17 Raymond Faitala-Mariner 18 Dominique Peyroux

Dragons: 1 Josh Dugan 2 Dylan Farrell 3 Euan Aitken 4 Peter Mata'utia 5 Kiti Glymin 6 Gareth Widdop 7 Benji Marshall 8 Leeson Ah Mau 9 Mitch Rein 10 Ben Creagh (c) 11 Tyson Frizell 12 Joel Thompson 13 Mike Cooper 14 Craig Garvey 15 Trent Merrin 16 Will Matthews 17 Jack de Belin 18 Justin Hunt 19 Jake Marketo 24 Mark Ioane

Chris Boulous writes: The Shaun Johnson-less Warriors showed signs of life last week but their finals chances are quickly slipping off the back of three straight losses. Not only is their No.7 missing, experienced forwards Ryan Hoffman and Bodene Thompson are also on the sidelines as they look to break a seven-year losing streak to the Dragons. The Dragons themselves broke a seven-game losing streak last week to revive their finals campaign and will be confident of leaving windy Wellington with a win with the return of Trent Merrin from suspension.

Tip: Warriors by 6

Ladbrokes: Dragons $1.80, Warriors $2.

Sharks v Cowboys

Saturday, 5.30pm, Remondis Stadium

JT magic: Can anyone stop Johnathan Thurston? Photo: Getty Images

Sharks: 1 Michael Gordon 2 Sosaia Feki 3 Gerard Beale 4 Ricky Leutele 5 Valentine Holmes 6 Jack Bird 7 Jeff Robson 8 Chris Heighington 9 Michael Ennis 10 Sam Tagataese 11 Anthony Tupou 12 Wade Graham 13 Paul Gallen (c) 14 Ben Barba 15 Matt Prior 16 Tinirau Arona 17 Jayson Bukuya 18 Junior Roqica

Cowboys: 1 Lachlan Coote 2 Matthew Wright 3 Justin O'Neill 4 Kane Linnett 5 Antonio Winterstein 6 Michael Morgan 7 Johnathan Thurston (c) 8 Matthew Scott (c) 9 Jake Granville 10 James Tamou 11 Gavin Cooper 12 Ethan Lowe 13 Jason Taumalolo. 14 Rory Kostjasyn 15 John Asiata 16 Scott Bolton 17 Ben Hannant 18 Sam Hoare

Chris Boulous writes: The NRL's two hottest teams face off on what is expected to be a chilly Remondis Stadium on Saturday night. The home team are eyeing a spot in the top four after winning seven of their past eight games and proved there is life after Andrew Fifita with a typically gutsy display across the ditch. The Cowboys need no reminder how dangerous the Sharks can be – their only loss since March 20 came to the Sharks in round 16. The Cowboys seem to be almost cruising in second gear but expect Johnathan Thurston to ramp things up as they shoot for the minor premiership.

Tip: Cowboys by 8

Ladbrokes: Cowboys $1.57, Sharks $2.40.

Eels v Panthers

Game-breaker: James Segeyaro. Photo: Renee McKay

Saturday, 7.30pm, TIO Stadium, Darwin

Eels: 1 Reece Robinson 2 Semi Radradra 3 Will Hopoate 4 Brad Takairangi 5 Ryan Morgan 6 Corey Norman 7 Luke Kelly 8 Junior Paulo 9 Nathan Peats 10 Tim Mannah (c) 11 Manu Ma'u 12 Tepai Moeroa 13 David Gower 14 Pauli Pauli 15 Darcy Lussick 16 Daniel lvero 17 Isaac De Gois 18 Joseph Paulo

Panthers: 1 Will Smith 2 Josh Mansour 3 Lewis Brown 4 Isaah Yeo 5 Waqa Blake 6 Isaac John 7 Jamie Soward 8 Sam McKendry 9 James Segeyaro 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11 Sika Manu 12 Bryce Cartwright 13 Elijah Taylor (c) 14 Tyrone Peachey 15 Jeremy Latimore 16 Leilani Latu 17 Apisai Koroisau

Chris Boulous writes: The Panthers have arguable the best run home of any team and start their finals push with a local derby against the struggling Eels in Darwin. If they can handle the heat up north, expect the likes of James Segeyaro and Bryce Cartwright to exploit the now rudderless Eels who are on the final leg of a horror three week-road trip. The good news for the blue and golds is they do welcome back Corey Norman and Will Hopoate and they have at their disposal two of the biggest forwards in the game in Junior Paulo and Pauli Pauli. But Penrith should have too much to play for and expect them to try an improve their minus 81 points differential in the process.

Tip: Panthers by 12

Ladbrokes: Panthers $1.55, Eels $2.45

Storm v Titans

Leader: Expect Jesse Bromwich to lead from the front. Photo: Robert Cianflone

Sunday, 2pm, AAMI Park

Storm: 1. Cameron Munster 2. Marika Koroibete 3. Will Chambers 4. Tohu Harris 5. Matt Duffie 6. Blake Green 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Tim Glasby 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane. 14. Ryan Hinchcliffe 15. Mahe Fonua 16. Felise Kaufusi 17. Christian Welch Nichol

Titans: 1. Josh Hoffman 2. David Mead 3. James Roberts 4. Nene Macdonald 5. Kalifa Faifai Loa 6. Aidan Sezer 7. Kane Elgey 8. Luke Douglas 9. Beau Falloon 10. Nate Myles 11. Ryan James 12. Agnatius Paasi 13. Greg Bird.14. Dave Taylor 15. Edward Pettybourne 16. Matt White 17. Kierran Moseley 18. Lachlan Burr 20. Daniel Mortimer

Chris Boulous writes: Anything but a big Storm win would surprise after their shock loss to the Tigers last week. The home team are sitting precariously in sixth place and would no doubt bank on the two points against a struggling Titans outfit who are in a fight to avoid the wooden spoon. The Titans do travel south with some confidence after their win last week and the knowledge they had a win in the corresponding fixture last year. But with Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Jesse Bromwich at the helm expect the Storm to come out of the gates firing and send a message to their rivals.

Tip: Storm by 16

Ladbrokes: Storm $1.15, Titans $5.50.

Knights v Roosters

RTS: Really Talented Speedster. Photo: Matt King

Sunday, 4pm, Hunter Sports Stadium

Knights: 1. Kurt Gidley 2. Jake Mamo 3. Sione Mata'utia 4. Dane Gagai 5. Nathan Ross 6. Carlos Tuimavave 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Kade Snowden 9. Adam Clydsdale 10. Korbin Sims 11. Beau Scott 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jeremy Smith. 14. Tyler Randell 15. David Fa'alogo 16. Chris Houston 17. Clint Newton

Roosters: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. James Maloney 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Aidan Guerra. 14. Jackson Hastings 15. Isaac Liu 16. Kane Evans 17. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 18. Suaia Matagi 19. Matt McIlwrick

Chris Boulous writes: It's all about the double-barrelled surnames this week for the Roosters. Shaun Kenny-Dowall returns, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck continues to dazzle and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves put in the best performance of any front rower this season last week. No doubt the Knights will be committed, determined and show up for the full 80 minutes (just like their coach Danny Buderus used to); but the Roosters will have too much class when it counts. The Roosters bench is an unheralded part of their success this year with the likes of Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Kane Evans vital cogs in their wheel.

Tip: Roosters by 12

Ladbrokes: Roosters $1.14, Knights $5.75

Raiders v Tigers

Pressure: Blake Austin needs a big last five weeks to get the Raiders into the finals. Photo: Hannah Peters

Monday, 7pm, GIO Stadium

Raiders: 1 Jack Wighton 2 Sisa Waqa 3 Jarrod Croker (c) 4 Joseph Leilua 5 Jordan Rapana 6 Blake Austin 7 Sam Williams 8 Frank Paul Nuuausala 9 Glen Buttriss 10 David Shillington 11 Josh Papalii 12 Jarrad Kennedy 13 Shaun Fensom 14 Kurt Baptiste 15 Mitchell Barnett 16 Paul Vaughan 17 Shannon Boyd

Tigers: 1 James Tedesco 2 David Nofoaluma 3 Kevin Naiqama 4 Tim Simona 5 Pat Richards 6 Mitchell Moses 7 Luke Brooks 8 Aaron Woods 9 Robbie Farah (c) 10 Keith Galloway 11 Curtis Sironen 12 Dene Halatau 13 Sauaso Sue 14 Kyle Lovett 15 Jack Buchanan 16 Ava Seumanufagai 17 Brenden Santi 18 Manaia Cherrington

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Chris Boulous writes: The Raiders' first injury crisis has struck and the question is: do they have the cattle to take advantage of the best run into September? The absence of Josh Hodgson and Sia Soliola will no doubt affect the Green Machine as the 10th-placed Raiders get set for games against teams below them to finish the season. No doubt former Tiger Blake Austin will be out for a big game against his old club, which returned to the winner's circle with a big effort against the Storm last week. The No.1 battle between James Tedesco and Jack Wighton is one that will breathe fire into the clash that is expected to kick off with temperatures well into single figures.

Tip: Raiders by 6

Ladbrokes: Raiders $1.48, Tigers $2.65

*Odds supplied by our commercial partner Ladbrokes