NORTH QUEENSLAND v BRISBANE, Dairy Farmers Stadium, Friday 7:35pm

The Story So Far: Brisbane are flying and have defied their critics to mark themselves as premiership contenders while the Cowboys have again let down the North Queensland faithful with another miserable season.

Why to Watch: Israel Folau. Folau may be off to the AFL next season but at present he is in outstanding form, scoring tries at will. This season he has scored 17 tries in 15 matches and has crossed the line in seven of his last nine matches. Nobody climbs higher than Izzy and he will be leaping towards the heavens again on Friday.

We Think: The Broncos have won six straight against the Cowboys and eight of their last eleven and are confident after downing the Dragons last Sunday. They should overcome the quick backup against a Cowboys team who can never be relied on to turn up.

Brisbane by 16

TAB SPORTSBET: North Queensland $2.65, Brisbane $1.45

GOLD COAST v PARRAMATTA, Skilled Stadium, Friday 7:35pm

The Story So Far: The Titans have turned their season around with two straight away wins against the Dragons and the Warriors while Parramatta's finals surge hit a pretty big pothole last Saturday night when the Hayne Train was derailed and the Eels finished on the wrong end of a 48-12 scoreline against the Roosters.

Why to Watch: Titans halfback Scott Prince is in sensational form and is worth the ticket of admission alone while Jarryd Hayne is scintillating on his day and against a Titans backline that is not renowned for its defence, Hayne could put on quite the show.

We Think: Parramatta have beaten only the Cowboys outside of Sydney this year and they meet a Gold Coast team in good form. The Titans should prove just a little too strong.

Gold Coast by 4

TAB SPORTSBET: Gold Coast $1.80, Parramatta $2.00

MANLY v MELBOURNE, Brookvale Oval, Saturday 5:35pm

The Story So Far: Manly are the most schizophrenic team in the NRL and sit just inside the top eight while Melbourne are already preparing for 2011 with Craig Bellamy promising to give fringe players a decent run in first grade over the remaining rounds.

Why to Watch: Manly and Melbourne hate each other. The Eagles and the Storm have one of the fiercest modern day rivalries in rugby league after playing in back-to-back Grand Finals in 2008 and 2009. The Storm may be unable to accumulate points but that won't stop them from firing up against Manly in front of a hostile crowd.

We Think: Melbourne will be fired up defensively but after losing four road games on the trot it is tough to get behind them when playing outside of AAMI Park, particularly when there could be any number of players rested from training, the match or both. Manly should get home in a close one.

Manly by 1

TAB SPORTSBET: Manly $1.57, Melbourne $2.35

SOUTH SYDNEY v WESTS TIGERS, ANZ Stadium, Saturday 7:35pm

The Story So Far: The Wests Tigers have found themselves in the top four after going 6-1 in games decided by 7 points or less while Souths are now on the outside of the finals looking in after losing five of their last seven. To make matters worse for the Bunnies, hard-hitting English prop Sam Burgess will be watching from the sidelines after copping a one-week ban for a grapple tackle.

Why to Watch: These two have averaged 53.4 points a game in their last five against each other and in the last two matches one team has knocked up the half-century. There is always plenty of points when these two traditional rivals meet and this shapes as another try feast as Benji Marshall and John Sutton battle for the ascendancy.

We Think: The Souths forward pack has been decimated by injury and suspension with no Burgess, Taylor, Stuart or Crocker this week. The Tigers have been winning ugly and can do it again against a South Sydney team they have won seven of their last 10 against.

Wests Tigers by 2

TAB SPORTSBET: South Sydney $2.40, Wests Tigers $1.55

CRONULLA v NEW ZEALAND, Toyota Stadium, Saturday 7:35pm

The Story So Far: The Warriors have fallen to eighth on the premiership ladder after back-to-back losses while Cronulla have lost five straight and have only broken 22 points twice this year on their way to fifteenth on the premiership ladder.

Why to Watch: The Sharks are fighting to avoid the wooden spoon while the Warriors are battling to stay in the top eight. Both teams will go at this one with fire and brimstone.

We Think: The Sharks have looked better since Shane Flanagan took the reins at Cronulla but with the Warriors having won four of their last six away from Mt. Smart and in a real dogfight for an unlikely finals berth, Simon Mannering's troops should prove just a little too classy. Expect a big match from former Shark Brett Seymour as he takes on his old club for the first time.

New Zealand by 4

TAB SPORTSBET: Cronulla $2.20, New Zealand $1.65

NEWCASTLE v CANTERBURY, Energy Australia Stadium, Sunday 2:05pm

The Story So Far: The Knights sit eleventh on the table with 20 points and a slim chance of finals football. The Bulldogs are thirteenth, one win below Newcastle, and are relying on five straight wins and the mercy of the sporting gods in order to see September action. Both teams are coming off an impressive upset victory.

Why to Watch: This match will be the end of the line for one club and it will most likely be won and lost in the halves. Brett Kimmorley and Ben Barba taking on Kurt Gidley and Jarrod Mullen is an enthralling halves match-up that combines experience and class with exuberance and potential. The best will rise to the top.

We Think: Newcastle have won six of their last nine against the Bulldogs but there is no doubt Canterbury have more strike-power out wide and a far more imposing pack. Quality should get the Bulldogs home.

Canterbury by 10

TAB SPORTSBET: Newcastle $1.95, Canterbury $1.85

SYDNEY ROOSTERS v ST.GEORGE-ILLAWARRA, SCG, Sunday 3:05pm

The Story So Far: The Dragons have won eight of their last ten against the Roosters and sit first on the premiership ladder but the Dragons have lost three of their last four and the choking cat-calls have already began. The Roosters have won five straight and are just a single win off the Dragons on the ladder.

Why to Watch: Two traditional Sydney teams and arch-rivals at that. First playing third. Sunday afternoon. The Sydney Cricket Ground. A full house. Does rugby league get any better than this?

We Think: The return of Michael Weyman will help the Dragons go forward but there are big concerns over a Dragons attack that has managed only 40 points in their last four matches. Against a Roosters team who have been in sizzling form and averaging 39.33 points over the last three weeks, the Dragons may not have enough points in them.

Sydney Roosters by 4

TAB SPORTSBET: Sydney Roosters $2.00, St.George-Illawarra $1.80

CANBERRA v PENRITH, Canberra Stadium, Monday 7:05pm

The Story So Far: Penrith sit second on the table but a loss this week will make it four defeats from their last five games and could see them fall to fourth. Canberra sit twelfth on the ladder, four points outside the eight, but see superstar fullback Josh Dugan and skipper Alan Tongue return this week in what is a must-win match for the Raiders.

Why to Watch: The two young fullbacks in Josh Dugan and Lachlan Coote. Canberra's Dugan leads the NRL in tackle breaks and is arguably the most elusive player in the game while Coote sits tied for second in tries with 17 in just 19 appearances. This is a genuine marquee match-up that will be a top draw over the next decade.

We Think: Penrith have won their last three against Canberra but you just cannot go past the home underdog on a Monday night. The Raiders should grind out a close win in a low-scorer.

Canberra by 2

TAB SPORTSBET: Canberra $2.00, Penrith $1.80