PENRITH v SOUTH SYDNEY, CUA Stadium, Friday 7:35pm

The Story So Far: Penrith looked certain to finish in the top four after Origin season wrapped up but they have now lost five of their last six as well as fullback Lachlan Coote and may even slip out of the eight if the losing run continues. Souths are ninth and with the Dragons to come this is a must win match for the Bunnies.

Why to Watch: Like any number of matches this weekend, this will have significant finals ramifications. These two are also the top attacking teams in the NRL and there should be plenty of razzle dazzle for the voters of Western Sydney to enjoy before knuckling down to choose our next Prime Minister.

We Think: Souths are without John Sutton but his replacement Luke Capewell did a fine job against Melbourne and Penrith are going as bad as any team still in contention for the playoffs. Souths can pull off the upset in an entertaining affair.

South Sydney by 6

TAB SPORTSBET: Penrith $1.45, South Sydney $2.65

NEWCASTLE v BRISBANE, Energy Australia Stadium, Friday 7:35pm

The Story So Far: A week can be a long time in rugby league. Before last Friday night the Broncos were cruising to yet another finals campaign. A loss to Parramatta and news that Darren Lockyer could be out for the rest of the year has the Broncos battling for a spot in the eight now. Newcastle have tried hard all year but their season was ended by the Warriors last Sunday.

Why to Watch: The Broncos looked directionless, disjointed and dismayed without Darren Lockyer calling the shots against Parramatta. How they get around the park this week will determine whether their amazing finals run continues or whether they will have their earliest end-of-season trip in two decades.

We Think: Darren Lockyer is a huge loss for Brisbane and the Knights have looked much better with Kurt Gidley in the halves. Newcastle have won their last two against Brisbane and they can make it three in a row this Friday.

Newcastle by 8

TAB SPORTSBET: Newcastle $2.00, Brisbane $1.80

MANLY v NEW ZEALAND, Brookvale Oval, Saturday 5:35pm

The Story So Far: The Warriors have won seven of their last nine and are sixth on the ladder on 28 points while Manly sit only a win behind on 26 but have not strung together two straight wins or two straight losses since round seven.

Why to Watch: After a bone-headed performance on Monday night against the Dragons, Anthony Watmough will be looking to make good against the Warriors. Expect one of his monster showings. The battle between monster wingers Manu "The Beast" Vatuvei and Tony "T-Rex" Williams should also prove most entertaining.

We Think: The Warriors have been in outstanding form and have won three of their last four in Australia but only one of those victories came against a top eight team. Home ground advantage should be enough for Manly though coming off a big game against the Dragons on a short backup they won't find this match easy.

Manly by 2

TAB SPORTSBET: Manly $1.47, New Zealand $2.60

NORTH QUEENSLAND v CANTERBURY, Dairy Farmers Stadium, Saturday 7:35pm

The Story So Far: The Cowboys have won only five matches this season and have conceded 20 points in all but three matches in 2010 and 30 points in nine matches. The Bulldogs have been the disappointment of the year and are still looking for answers as to why 2010 went so horribly wrong.

Why to Watch: Willie Mason comes up against his old club and despite leaving three years ago there is still plenty of heat at Canterbury over the way he left. Big Willie will be in for some treatment from the Dogs pack.

We Think: The game means nothing so it should be a high-scoring, open affair but it is impossible to see the Cowboys winning a match without Johnathan Thurston. The Bulldogs in a try-fest should get a much needed win against the Cowboys.

Canterbury by 10

TAB SPORTSBET: North Queensland $2.40, Canterbury $1.55

MELBOURNE v CRONULLA, AAMI Park, Saturday 7:35pm

The Story So Far: Misery. That is how both the Storm and Shark faithfuls will view 2010.

Why to Watch: Sharks fullback Nathan Gardner is Cronulla's best find in years and if the Storm turns up underprepared he can put on quite the show.

We Think: Melbourne can't be relied on to cover a big start in such a low intensity game that few will have much interest in while the Sharks, for all their inabilities to win many matches, rarely throw the towel in. Melbourne should escape with the win in what will be a pretty uninspiring encounter.

Melbourne by 4

TAB SPORTSBET: Melbourne $1.25, Cronulla $3.75

CANBERRA v ST.GEORGE-ILLAWARRA, Canberra Stadium, Sunday 2:05pm

The Story So Far: The Dragons have a four point gap at the top of the ladder while Canberra are eleventh, a win outside the top eight. Amazingly, the Raiders have only lost to the Dragons once since the 2001 season.

Why to Watch: Canberra lose and they can say goodbye to 2010. The Dragons win and they secure the minor premiership for the second straight year. Both teams have plenty to play for.

We Think: The Dragons may be the clear premiership favourite this season but they have an appalling record against Canberra that has seen them beat Canberra only once in their last twelve clashes while the Dragons have not won at Bruce Stadium since 2000 when former Dragons coach Nathan Brown was hooker. An upset is definitely on the cards. Canberra can win a low scorer.

Canberra by 4

TAB SPORTSBET: Canberra $2.35, St. George-Illawarra $1.57

PARRAMATTA v WESTS TIGERS, Parramatta Stadium, Sunday 3:05pm

The Story So Far: Parramatta kept their season alive with a convincing win over a Broncos outfit without Darren Lockyer last Friday while the Tigers rediscovered their best form last Sunday with a 43-18 thrashing of Penrith to move to third on the premiership ladder.

Why to Watch: Parramatta have been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately with coach Daniel Anderson reportedly close to getting the chop. With the Eels season on the line, it will be fascinating to see how the Parramatta players respond to the drama.

We Think: The Eels have won nine of their last eleven against the Wests Tigers and when these two met in a do-or-die clash last season the Eels came out on top. The Eels match up well against the Tigers and the pressure is on Jarryd Hayne. The Eels will be up for this one and should stay alive for at least one more week.

Parramatta by 4

TAB SPORTSBET: Parramatta $1.67, Wests Tigers $2.15

SYDNEY ROOSTERS v GOLD COAST, Sydney Football Stadium, Monday 7:05pm

The Story So Far: The Gold Coast have put together four straight wins and have assumed second favouritism in premiership betting from the Sydney Roosters, who have lost consecutive matches to the Dragons and Sharks and are down to fifth on the premiership ladder.

Why to Watch: There is every chance these two will meet throughout the finals so this match should provide a guide on where both teams are at while the halfback battle between Scott Prince and Mitchell Pearce looks a salivating matchup.

We Think: Brian Smith has a long and infamous history of having his team's peak too early and he may have done it again with the Roosters five-game winning streak now a distant memory after losing to the struggling Cronulla last Friday. With the Titans flying and the retiring Mat Rogers keen to go out on a high, the Titans are going to be hard to hold out.

Gold Coast by 8

TAB SPORTSBET: Sydney Roosters $1.57, Gold Coast $2.35