Given the relative impotent nature of both teams' attack – the Cowboys, Broncos and Raiders have scored more points this year themselves than the Knights and Dragons combined – this will be a fascinating battle of two former teammates with the clipboards. Nathan Brown needs time. Paul McGregor has been getting it. But how long will their fans keep persevering with the tryline wobbles? Hunter Stadium has been a happy holiday place for the Dragons, who have only lost three times in 17 trips to Steel City.

2. Sharks v Warriors

Expectation hasn't always been easy to deal with for the Sharks, whose coach Shane Flanagan joked "what have I done?" after walking into a packed pre-game press conference on Friday. They sometimes need to drag people off the street to ask him questions at the weekly media call. How will Cronulla's Origin contingent rebound? They come switched on, they win. They don't, the rapidly improving Warriors can pounce. Paul Gallen's response will be fascinating, but perhaps Wade Graham's mindset even more intriguing.

3. Bulldogs v Broncos

There's good and bad news from Corey Parker's bizarre retirement announcement, which perhaps only he saw coming. The bad? He won't be around next year. The good? The Broncos might actually have some ammunition to fire them out of a mid-season malaise. Even allowing for the standard Origin toll, Brisbane's form has been puzzling. Wayne Bennett won't panic, though. Never does. And now his troops have a big carrot to finish the season well.

4. Titans v Raiders

Voting for NRL Coach of the Year closes now. Who do you pick? Sharks brains trust Shane Flanagan? Maybe BandAid man Brad Arthur? What about the King? Surely Neil Henry has to be in the conversation? And he still doesn't seem to get the respect he perhaps deserves. There are not many sharper minds out there and the visit of the Raiders – who have an abysmal record on the holiday strip – has a Henry-inspired Titans upset written all over it.

5. Storm v Tigers

Since when did Jason Taylor ask his skipper Aaron Woods to do his dirty work for him? All jokes aside, the recovering Robbie Farah wasn't going to be "rested" from the Tigers' trip to Melbourne before copping friendly fire and a mild concussion from his Origin teammate. Not "rested rested" like he was against the Roosters anyway. But if the Tigers are any hope of pushing for an unlikely finals berth it won't matter anyway. They need to measure up again against the Storm, who have the cavalry coming back left right and centre.

6. Cowboys v Sea Eagles

One is foolish to question an Immortal-in-waiting, but how effective will Johnathan Thurston be in Michael Morgan's potential month-long absence? The Cowboys' golden injury run for 18 months may be creaking a little, Morgan struggling to be fit for Origin III and out of Manly's visit. Don't underestimate how much Thurston's regular sidekick has relieved the pressure on the No.7 in the last couple of years. The Sea Eagles' arrows will all be pointed in one direction now with Paul Green unlikely to rest Thurston given Morgan's absence.