South Sydney produced their best performance of the year in their last-start victory against an improved Titans squad star as recruit Latrell Mitchell continues to improve week to week in the fullback position. They will face a Warriors outfit who were impressive against the Cowboys in another disciplined display from the New Zealand club.  

Both teams have the luxury of naming an unchanged line-up heading into this match in a welcome sign of continuity for both clubs.  

Souths look to be warming into top form with a number of squad changes bearing fruit. Cody Walker’s return in the halves as well as Cameron Murray’s shift back to lock looks to be paying dividends for coach Wayne Bennett. Meanwhile, the Warriors will be looking to emulate their disciplined performance against the Cowboys last week as coach Stephen Kearney hopes to instill consistency into his squad. Expect South Sydney to continue their improvement and come away with the win.

Melbourne look to have finally adjusted to the rule changes with the Victorian club producing a fantastic performance against a resurgent Knights outfit last week for their fourth win of the season. They will face a Panthers squad who were left heartbroken after conceding a 10-nil lead against the red-hot Eels in the Penrith club’s first loss of the season.  

Melbourne have named an unchanged squad with Jahrome Hughes still absent with injury. For Penrith, Dylan Edwards will return at fullback at the expense of Caleb Aekins as Billy Burns joins the bench to cover the injured Kurt Capewell.  

While the Storm will enter this match as firm favourites, the Panthers have shown they can mix with the competition’s best this year as the club looks to restore their pride after a disappointing loss to the Eels last week. Cameron Smith again proved he remains one of the best players in the game with a masterful performance, and expect the veteran skipper to lead his team to victory once again with Melbourne’s big-game experience to prove the difference.

The Dragons produced their first victory of the year in a classy performance against the Sharks last week and will now look to a depleted Titans outfit to continue their winning momentum. The Gold Coast club were poor against an in-form South Sydney outfit in their last match but continue to show signs of improvement under new coach Justin Holbrook.  

St George have named an unchanged squad heading into this match after their performance last week. For the Titans, new signing Corey Thompson will make his club debut at fullback in a big boost for the depleted Gold Coast club as Phillip Sami shifts back to the wing and Brian Kelly reverts to centre to cover the injured Dale Copley.  

St George will enter this match as firm favourites but should be wary of a Titans squad who performed better than last week’s score indicated. The addition of versatile utility-back Corey Thompson could prove a massive coup for the club but expect a big performance from a Dragons outfit desperate to turn their poor start around. Dragons to get the win.  

Despite a narrow loss to Canberra last week, Tigers’ fans should be happy with the response of their squad to round four’s woeful performance after the joint-venture club pushed the Raiders to their limit. Their opposition in the Cowboys produced a disappointing performance last week albeit after suffering a number of injuries early in the match.  

Wests will make a number of changes as Robert Jennings and Luke Garner return on the wing and in the second-row respectively. Matt Eisenhuth and Sam McIntyre will also join the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad. North Queensland will be missing both Valentine Holmes and Jordan McLean in a massive blow as Connelly Lemuelu joins the starting side on the wing and Ben Hampton, Corey Jensen and Peter Hola join the bench.  

The Cowboys were poor against the Warriors and their case has not been improved against the Tigers with the absence of Holmes and McLean. Expect a big performance from the Tigers who were classy in defeat against the Raiders last week as Michael Maguire’s troops look to avoid their third consecutive loss. Tigers to get the points. 

Saturday night will see the undefeated Eels take on the reigning premiers in the Sydney Roosters in a blockbuster clash that could be a sneak preview of the finals with these two clubs vying to be top-dog in the NRL this season. Parramatta produced a superb comeback victory over the highly rated Eels last week, while the Roosters were at their devastating best against Canterbury.  

Oregon Kaufusi will join the Eels’ bench to cover the suspended Kane Evans in an otherwise unchanged squad. For the Roosters, veteran front-rower Jarred Waerea-Hargreaves will return in a big boost for the club in Trent Robinson’s only change.  

Forget the favourites, this match could go either way between the top two teams in the competition. Both clubs have adjusted to the rule changes easily and have capitalised on momentum swings throughout their performances since the resumption of the competition. Expect the big-game experience within this Roosters line-up to prove the difference. ‘Chooks to get the win.  

Manly last produced a classy second-half comeback against Brisbane as the Manly club continues to fly under the NRL radar despite an impressive start to the season. They will face a Canberra outfit who were pushed to their limit by the Tigers last week in a narrow victory as Ricky Stuart’s squad look to put together some consistent performances. 

Brendan Elliot and Curtis Sironen will return at centre and in the second-row respectively for Manly with Morgan Boyle also joining the interchange. Meanwhile, the Raiders will welcome Corey Horsburgh and Hudson Young from injury and suspension respectively in a big boost for their middle-rotation.  

Both clubs have been inconsistent relative to their lofty standards with both coaches eager to see their squad put together an 80-minute performance. While their class has allowed them to dominate bottom-eight teams, expect Manly to struggle against the quality in this Raiders squad. Canberra to get the win.  

The Sharks slumped to their fourth loss of the season against a previously winless Dragons outfit last week in a disappointing performance from the Shire club. Their opposition in the Bulldogs were fundamentally out-classed by the reigning premiers in their last match despite displaying their trade-mark courage.  

Cronulla will welcome Siosifa Talakai and Royce Hunt on the bench in an otherwise unchanged squad. New signing Bryson Goodwin was also included in the reserves and could be a late call-up for this match. For Canterbury, Reimis Smith will return at centre as Kerrod Holland joins the interchange in the club’s only changes to their squad.  

Despite a relatively modest injury ward, the Sharks’ struggles on the field were evident against the Dragons last week. A number of off-field distractions could be contributing to Cronulla’s poor form but the Shire club will need to turn things around quickly if they are a chance to make the finals. Canterbury certainly will not make it easy for their opposition but it is difficult to see them outscoring the Sharks. Cronulla to get the points.