There are two more massive top eight clashes this weekend headlined by the Rabbitohs taking on the Roosters on Friday night. These two teams have a long history of animosity and both are still in the running for this year's minor premiership.
The other big game sees the struggling Sharks in Melbourne to take on the Storm. The Panthers, having sacked coach Anthony Griffin, take on the Titans in a danger match.
Good luck with your tips.
Thursday, August 9
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Brisbane Broncos, 1300SMILES Stadium, 7:50pm (AEST)
Cowboys: 1. Te Maire Martin, Kyle Fldt, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Kane Linnett, 5. Justin O'Neill, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Johnathan Thurston, 8. Matthew Scott, 9. Jake Granville, 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Coen Hess, 13. Jason Taumalolo. Reserves: 14. Ben Hampton, 15. John Asiata, 16. Corey Jensen, 17. Scott Bolton.
Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd, 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Gehamat Shibasaki, 5 Jamayne Isaako, Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Sam Thaiday, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 12 David Fifita, 13 Joe Ofahengaue. Reserves: Sam Tagataese, 15 Patrick Mago, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 Kotoni Staggs.
Verdict: The Cowboys gave the Roosters a real scare last week, while the Broncos were blown off the park by the lowly Bulldogs. If any team is going to be excited about beating the Broncos at this time of the year, it is going to be the Cowboys. Johnathan Thurston won't want his last encounter at home against big brother to end in tears, but if the Broncos are serious about this season they simply have to win.
Tip: Broncos
TAB odds: North Queensland $2.35, +3.5 $1.90. Brisbane $1.62, -3.5 $1.90.
Friday, August 10
New Zealand Warriors vs. Newcastle Knights, Mt Smart Stadium, 6:00pm (AEST)
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2. David Fusitu'a, 3. gerard Beale, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Ken Maumalom, 6. Blake Green, 7. Shaun JOhnson, 8. James Gavet,. 9. Issac Luke, 10. Agnatius Paasi, 11. Isaiah Papali'i, 12. Adam Blair, 13. Simon Mannering. Reserves: 14. Jazz Tevaga, 15. Leivaha Pulu, 16. Bunty Afoa, 17. Peta Hiku.
Knights: 1. Kayln Ponga, 2. Ken Sio, 3. Sione Mata'utia, 4. Cory Denniss, 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6. Jack Cogger, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Herman Ese'ese, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Aidan Guerra. Reserves: 14. Jamie Buhrer, 15. Chris Heighington, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. JJ Felise.
Verdict: The Warriors were too good for the Dragons last week in Wollongong, while the Knights couldn't match the Tigers. The Warriors are now two wins ahead of the Tigers and only one win out of the top four. They need to maintain this momentum and simply cannot lose at home to the Knights.
Tip: Warriors
TAB odds: New Zealand $1.38, -8.5 $1.95. Newcastle $3.10, +8.5 $1.85.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Sydney Roosters, ANZ Stadium, 7:55pm (AEST)
Rabbitohs: 1. Alex Johnston, 2. Campbell Graham, 3. Hymel Hunt, 4. Dane Gagai, 5. Richard Kennar, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Thomas Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 10. George Burgess, 11. John Sutton, 12. Angus Chricton, 13. Sam Burgess. Reserves: 14. Braidon Burns, 15. Cameron Murray, 16. Jason Clark, 17. Tevita Tatola.
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Latrell MItchell, 4. JOseph Manu, 5. Blake Fegruson, 6. Ryan Matterson, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Jake Friend, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Issac Liu, 13. Victor Radley. Reserves: 14. Dylan Napa, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Mitchell Aubusson, 17. Sean O'Sullivan.
Verdict: Another brilliant Friday night clash sees these two premiership heavyweights take on each other with two points separating them on the ladder. A win would see the Roosters slip into first place, pending the result of the Storm-Sharks battle on Sunday. Latrell Mitchell has come back from Origin in unstoppable form, but he'll need to be at his defensive best to stop the Rabbitohs and their slick backline moves. I think the Chooks are travelling just a little bit better at the moment.
Tip: Roosters
TAB odds: Souths $1.80, -1.5 $1.90. Sydney Roosters $2.05, +1.5 $1.90.
Saturday, August 11
Gold Coast Titans vs. Penrith Panthers, Cbus Super Stadium, 3:00pm (AEST)
Titans: 1. Michael Gordon, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Konrad Hurrell, 4. Brenko Lee, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Alexander Brimson, 7. Ashley Taylor, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Ryan James, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Keegan Hipgrave, 13. Jai Arrow. Reserves: 14. Mitch Rein, 15. Moeaki Fotuaika, 16. Jack Stockwell, 17. Will Matthews.
Panthers: 1. Tyrone Peachey, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Waqa Blake, 4. Dean Whare, 5. Dallin Watene Zelezniak, 6. James Maloney, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. James Tamou, 9. Sione Katoa, 10. Reegan Campbell-Gillard, 11. Viliam Kikau, 12. Isaah Yeo, 13. James Fisher-Harris. Reserves: 14. Tyrone May, 15. Trent Merrin, 16. Moses Leota, 17. Corey Harawira-Naera.
Verdict: The Titans went down to the Eels last week, while the Panthers fought back well to pip the Raiders. The Panthers shocked everyone by sacking coach Anthony Griffin midweek and it will be interesting to see what this does to the team psyche. The Titans have nothing but pride to play for, but they are capable of springing the odd upset, particularly against a team that has been down on form of late.
Tip: Panthers
TAB odds: Gold Coast $2.90, +7.5 $1.85. Penrith $1.42, -7.5 $1.95.
Manly Sea Eagles vs. Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, McGrath Foundation Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Brian Kelly, 5. Brad Parker, 6. Dylan Walker, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Manase Fainu, 10. Marti Tapau, 11. Joel Thompson, 12. Shaun Lane, 13. Jake Trbojevic. Reserves: 14. Trent Hodkinson, 15. Kelepi Tanginoa, 16. Jack Gosiewiski, 17. Taniela Paseka.
Bulldogs: 1. Will Hopoate, 2. Brett Morris, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Kerrod Holland, 5. Reimis Smith, 6. Lachlan Lewis, 7. Jeremy Marshall-King, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Michael Lichaa, 10. David Klemmer, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Adam Elliot. Reserves: 14. Fa'amanu Brown, 15. Danny Fualalo, 16. Ofahiki Ogden, 17. Chris Smith
Verdict: The Sea Eagles upset the Sharks last week in golden point extra-time, while the Bulldogs showed signs of life in thumping the complacent Broncos. Both these teams have had very disappointing 2018 seasons and only have next year to build towards now. At home, I think the Sea Eagles might have enough to beat the improving Bulldogs.
Tip: Sea Eagles
TAB odds: Manly $1.62, -4.5 $2. Canterbury $2.35, +4.5 $1.80.
Parramatta Eels vs. St George Illawarra Dragons, ANZ Stadium, 7:35pm (AEST)
Eels: 1. Corey Norman, 2. Jarryd Hayne, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Clint Gutherson, 5. George Jennings, 6. Jaeman Salmon, 7. Mitchell Moses, 8. Siosaia Vave, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Tim Mannah, 11. Marat Niukore, 12. Tepai Moeroa, 13. Nathan Brown. Reserves: 14. Will Smith, 15. Kane Evans, 16. Peni Terepo, 17, Brad Takairangi
Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty, 2. Jordan Pereira, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Timoteo Lafai, 5. Jason Nightingale, 6. Gareth Widdop, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. James Graham, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Lesson Ah Mau, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Jack de Belin. Reserves: 14. Jeremy Latimore, 15. Kurt Mann, 16. Blake Lawrie, 17. Luciano Leilua.
Verdict: The Eels put in a more complete performance last week to beat the Titans, while the Dragons would be disappointed in their effort at home against the Warriors. The Dragons have to turn things around soon or their season will start to look painfully familiar. If they don't beat the Eels at ANZ Stadium this weekend, they might as well not turn up for games there in September.
Tip: Dragons
TAB odds: Parramatta $2.70, +6.5 $1.80. St George Illawarra $1.48, -6.5 $2.
Sunday, August 12
Canberra Raiders vs. Wests Tigers, GIO Stadium, 2:00pm (AEST)
Raiders: 1. Nick Cotric, 2. Brad Abbey, 3. Blake Austin, 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Aidan Sezer, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Iosia Soliola, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Joseph Tapine, 12. Elliot Whitehead, 13. Josh Papalii. Reserves: 14. Dunamis Lui, 15. Shannon Boyd, 16. Siliva Havili, 17. Luke Bateman.
Tigers: 1. Moses Mbye, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Esan Marsters, 4. Kevin Naiqama, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 6. Benji Marshall, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Russell Packer, 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Ben Matulino, 11. Michael Chee-Kam, 12. Luke Garner, 3. Elijah Taylor. Reserves: 14. Alex Twal, 15. Sauaso Sue, 16. Robbie Rochow, 17. Matthew Eisenhuth.
Verdict: The Raiders put on some entertaining football against the Panthers last week, but in the story of their 2018 season, still managed to lose. The Tigers kept their faint finals hopes alive with a gritty win over the Knights in Newcastle. I think the Raiders could all but end the Tigers' season on Sunday afternoon, if they can commit themselves to play out the full 80 minutes.
Tip: Raiders
TAB odds: Canberra $1.57, -4.5 $1.90. Wests Tigers $2.45, +4.5 $1.90.
Melbourne Storm vs. Cronulla Sutherland Sharks, AAMI Park, 4:10pm (AEST)
Storm: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Jahrome Hughes, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Ryan Hoffman, 13. Dale Finucane. Reserves: 14. Kenneath Bromwich, 15. Tim Glasby, 16. Christian Welch, 17. Joe Stimson.
Sharks: 1. Valentine Holmes, 2. Josh Dugan, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. Ricky Leutele, 5. Sione Katoa, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Matt Prior, 11. Luke Lewis, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Paul Gallen. Reserves: 14. Scott Sorensen, 15. James Segeyaro, 16. Aaron Woods, 17. Jayson Bukuya.
Verdict: Another great clash sees the 2016 grand final combatants up against each other with so much on the line. Losing their last two games has the Sharks in serious danger of missing the top four, while the Storm will be keen to bounce back from their loss to the Rabbitohs to keep themselves in the hunt for the minor premiership. The Storm don't like losing back-to-back games.
Tip: Storm
TAB odds: Melbourne $1.50, -5.5 $1.90. Cronulla $2.65, +5.5 $1.90.