Broncos’ faithful were left heartbroken after conceding three tries in the last 10 minutes against Cronulla to lose the game in a somewhat improved performance from the struggling Brisbane club. They face a massive test against an in-form Rabbitohs outfit whose impressive last-start victory over the Dragons elevated the club into the top-eight.  

Souths will be without Jaydn Su’A after the second-rower was banned for one-match by the judiciary with Jack Johns expected to join the squad as cover. For the Broncos, Anthony Milford will be absent after picking up a hamstring injury. Brodie Croft, Matt Lodge and David Fifita will return for Brisbane in a huge boost for the club.  

Since the controversial coaching-swap between Brisbane and Souths, there has been a bitter rivalry between the two clubs that has produced some fantastic games of football. Despite their recent performances, the return of David Fifita is enormous for Brisbane, particularly with their opposition fielding an inexperienced second-row combination. This game could go either way but expect the composure and class in the Rabbitohs’ spine to get them over the line.  

Melbourne face the bizarre prospect of playing without superstar captain Cameron Smith this week, although the club performed admirably in his absence in their last-start victory over Newcastle. They will face a Bulldogs outfit who conceded a narrow loss to Parramatta in their last game with the Canterbury club finding plenty of positives to take into next-season.  

Brandon Smith will cover the former Australian and Maroons captain at hooker for the Storm as Nicho Hynes was named at fullback for the rested Ryan Papenhuyzen. Justin Olam will return at centre as Ryley Jacks and Albert Vete join the interchange. Meanwhile, Canterbury have named an unchanged squad after an encouraging performance last week.  

Melbourne will enter this match as firm favourites but with a number of changes in their back-line, they should be on high-alert against Canterbury’s improved attacking game. Expect the Bulldogs to target the inexperienced Tom Eisenhuth and Nicho Hynes in particular but the class of the Storm’s monster forward rotation should prove the difference. 

Newcastle will be desperate to arrest a concerning form-slump and avoid their third consecutive defeat after a disappointing loss to Melbourne last week. Their opposition are also under pressure after the in-form Tigers outfit conceded a shock upset to the Warriors as the club desperately seeks to break back into the top-eight.  

Mid-season signing Blake Green will start at five-eight for Newcastle as Kurt Mann shifts to hooker. Gehamat Shibasaki and Star Toa will join the backline with Brodie Jones also included on the bench. Meanwhile, Wests have instituted mass changes following their woeful performance last week. Harry Grant and Alex Twal are injured in a massive blow as Matt Eisenhuth and debutant Asu Kepaoa join the starting side. Russell Packer and Joey Leulua will also join the squad at prop and centre respectively in a welcome boost for the club.  

Both clubs have shown glimpses of elite form at times but have been unable to perform consistently so far this season. As injuries and fatigue mounts towards the end of the year, expect a brutal physical contest between these two desperate teams. Could go either way but expect the Tigers to struggle in the absence of Grant and Twal with Newcastle to get the points.  

Canberra have continued their mid-season form revival with their narrow last-start victory over the improved Cowboys, but Ricky Stuart’s troops now face a huge test against the competition leading Panthers. Penrith were dominant against Manly last week in a 30-point victory in which Ivan Cleary’s team completed over 90% of their sets with the ball.  

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will make his return from injury at fullback in a welcome boost for the Raiders, pushing Jordan Rapana to the wing. Penrith have named only one change after their performance last week as Malakai Watene-Zelezniak replaces injured winger Charlie Stains.  

Canberra have displayed enormous resilience this season to be placed equal fourth on the competition ladder, particularly given their travel schedule and injury toll. Both these football teams possess impressive defensive structures but expect the point-scoring form of the Panthers’ spine to prove the difference.  

The Gold Coast came close to producing the upset of the season against the Roosters last week in a supremely impressive performance from the Titans. They will face a Cowboys team who pushed the Raiders to the limit in their last match but were unable to come away with the result as the North Queensland outfit look to avoid their sixth consecutive loss.  

The Titans only change comes with the return of Sam Lisone on the bench in some welcome continuity for the Gold Coast club. For the Cowboys, captain Michael Morgan will return at halfback in a massive boost alongside Tom Opacic in the centres.  

Despite their recent form, North Queensland will enter this match favourites. The return of captain Michael Morgan will be massive for their team and will add some valuable on-field leadership as well as improve their fifth-tackle options. The Titans look to have embraced the game-plan of new coach Justin Holbrook and off the back of their performance last week, expect the Gold Coast club to get the win.  

Cronulla produced a stunning comeback against the luckless Broncos last week in a fantastic performance in difficult circumstances. Having lost their centres and halfback heading into the game, the Cronulla club will be looking the emulate that energy against Parramatta. The Eels were solid in a narrow victory against Canterbury last week but the club will be looking to arrest a concerning form slump, albeit one during which the club has only lost one game.  

Josh Dugan, Matt Moylan and Jesse Ramien will all return from hamstring injuries in a big boost for the club, pushing Siosifa Talakai to the second-row at the expense of Briton Nikora. Meanwhile, the Eels will replace Brad Takairangi with Ray Stone on the bench in Brad Arthur’s only changes.  

Despite consistently winning games of football, the Eels form has slumped drastically relative to their early-season dominance. Coach Brad Arthur will be pushing his troops to rediscover top-form soon or run the risk of dropping out of the top-four. The Sharks’ toughness and physical resilience has them well-placed to produce an upset but expect the class in this Eels outfit to get them over the line.