MANLY v MELBOURNE (Brookvale Oval, Friday, 7:35pm)

Melbourne gets the opportunity at Brookvale Oval on Friday night to win its fourth minor premiership in six seasons but they'll have to get past their arch-rivals Manly to do it. But if Manly win, particularly by a decent margin, and the race for the minor title will go down to the last round where the Storm plays the Roosters and Manly takes on the Broncos. The genesis of this rivalry dates back to the 2007 Grand Final when the Storm blew an unprepared Manly off the field. The Eagles reversed the result in 2008 with a 40-0 hammering, the biggest Grand Final win in history. Since then, results have gone 3-3 with five of the six clashes being tough defensive struggles which have yielded no more than 36 points in total. Cooper Cronk has not been named but he is expected to be a late inclusion for Melbourne, an in that will certainly enliven the Storm's attack that managed only eight points against Dragons. The Storm have won 12 straight and nine straight on the road and are as focussed on premiership glory as any team you could imagine. Manly have the class but their attitude has been poor in recent weeks. If Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough can be contained, the Storm will win. 

BPL Tip: Melbourne by 4
TAB Sportsbet odds: Manly $1.68, Melbourne $2.15

PARRAMATTA v SYDNEY ROOSTERS (Parramatta Stadium, Friday, 7:35pm)

The main talking point surrounding this game is the fact it is the free-to-air Friday game despite the Eels running last and the Roosters 12th, the last two losing grand finalists combining for a meagre 13 wins all up in 2011. Nine boss David Gyngell is a Roosters fan though so perhaps it comes as no surprise. The only real interest here is the possibility Parramatta could be right in the box seat for the wooden spoon if they are defeated, which would be their first wooden spoon since 1974. The Eels, of course, were once well accustomed to the wooden spoon, winning 11 in their first 28 years. The Roosters have won three of their last four and though they are well down on talent without Carney and Myles, they have shown greater cohesion and enthusiasm the last two weeks. The Eels have won only once since mid-May with the Jarryd Hayne move to five-eighth an unmitigated disaster. The Roosters should get this on the fringes with Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Aiden Guerra forecast for big games. 

BPL Tip: Sydney Roosters by 8
TAB Sportsbet odds: Parramatta $1.75, Sydney Roosters $2.05

For Canterbury to make the finals, they need to down Newcastle, hope Brisbane beat South Sydney the next day, roll Canberra in the final round and hope for a draw between the Knights and the Bunnies in the final round. To label them a mathematical possibility would do a disservice to mathematics. It would be a miracle unseen in the history of the game. Newcastle are fading fast, losing their last two but they have won their last six against teams outside of the top eight. Newcastle are vulnerable to well organised and disciplined teams, two characteristics not associated with the 2011 Bulldogs. Akuila Uate's speed is also sure to cause Canterbury plenty of problems. Expect the Knights to dig deep and pull out a much needed victory as Canterbury just go through the motions to finish 2011.  

BPL Tip: Newcastle by 8
TAB Sportsbet odds: Canterbury $1.75, Newcastle $2.05

NORTH QUEENSLAND v CRONULLA (Dairy Farmers Stadium, Saturday, 7:30pm)

Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has wielded the axe big time this week, dumping four members of the backline who threw it away against the Sydney Roosters. Isaac Gordon, Albert Kelly, Colin Best and Stewart Mills have all been recalled in a significant purge. These inclusions will no doubt be keen to prove their worth for 2012 but will be up against it with North Queensland desperate to fight their way back into the top four and a home final. The Cowboys classy backline should reign supreme here. Brent Tate and Willie Tonga are internationals and should have a field day against the Cronulla fringe defence with Dean Collis and Colin Best both struggling defensively this season. The Sharks have allowed an average of 40 points a game in their last three road clashes and with their season over, not much is expected to change. 

BPL Tip: North Queensland by 16
TAB Sportsbet odds: North Queensland $1.14, Cronulla $5.50

CANBERRA v PENRITH (Canberra Stadium, Saturday, 7:30pm)

Canberra fans say goodbye to arguably the most popular figure in club history on Saturday night after 11 seasons and 218 first grade games with captain Alan Tongue playing his final game at Canberra Stadium. The Raiders captain is a legend in Canberra, a beloved figure and a cult hero. Tongue played his first game at Canberra Stadium against Penrith in 2000, scoring the first of 30 career tries when coming off the bench in a 30-6 win. It was the start of a long and abiding friendship for Tongue, who has scored his most career tries against a single team (5) and had his most wins against a single team (12) against Penrith. The Raiders are struggling at present but against an injury ravaged Penrith and with the little champion being farewelled, Tongue should have one last success against the Panthers. 

BPL Tip: Canberra by 7
TAB Sportsbet odds: Canberra $1.55, Penrith $2.45

ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA v NEW ZEALAND (WIN Stadium, Sunday, 2:00pm)

The Warriors have won only 4 of 17 against the Dragons over the course of 12 seasons with their only win against St George-Illawarra on this side of the ditch coming back in 2003. They get their best chance this Sunday, however, with the Dragons on their knees, in free-fall down the competition ladder. The two players who personify the fortunes of their respective teams are Jamie Soward and Shaun Johnson. Soward was the unquestioned selection as the New South Wales No.6 only two months back but his form has fallen away so badly that there has been talk his first grade spot may be in danger. Johnson, on the other hand, has taken his chance in first grade with the young half scoring six tries in only 10 games, making the Warriors No.7 jersey his own. The Warriors have won six of their last seven while the Dragons have picked up only five premiership points since round 13. Where the Saints' points come from is anyone's guess. New Zealand, with a shot at the top four, are shaping as a good upset selection. 

BPL Tip: New Zealand by 2
TAB Sportsbet odds: St George-Illawarra $1.53, New Zealand $2.50

BRISBANE v SOUTH SYDNEY (Suncorp Stadium, Sunday, 3:00pm)

South Sydney enter this must-win clash chasing five victories in a row, a feat they last achieved in 2008 and a streak they have recorded only twice since their minor premiership in 1989 (the other coming in 1994). It is a big game for South Sydney and they are not a club that traditionally thrives under pressure. In a critical clash at home against North Queensland last Friday, they were extraordinarily lucky to collect the two points and this is a much stiffer test. The Rabbitohs have beaten Brisbane only three times since 1989 and though this is the best Bunnies team since their minor premiership year, this is a Broncos side incredibly focussed on sending Darren Lockyer out a winner. The Broncos were ruthless against Newcastle. Their ball handling got lax at times but they were rarely caught off guard defensively. With the added spice of lining up against Greg Inglis- who signed with Brisbane before walking out on the club to join South Sydney last year- the Broncos are unlikely to let up. The Bunnies will find scoring a lot more difficult this week. 

BPL Tip: Brisbane by 6
TAB Sportsbet odds: Brisbane $1.55, South Sydney $2.45

WESTS TIGERS v GOLD COAST (Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Monday, 7:00pm)

The Tigers enter the last Monday night match of the season as the biggest favourites of 2011. And rightly so. It is hard to see a lot of upside in a team where its lock has a broken hand (but is playing), its next four best players (Luke Bailey, Ashley Harrison, Scott Prince and Nathan Friend) are all likely to be ruled out through injury and the centre, who didn't play last week because of vertigo (Clinton Toopi), is back in the starting line-up. The Titans are 5-3 all-time against the Tigers but they will not be troubling a Benji Marshall inspired Tigers still in the hunt for a top four berth. 

BPL Tip: Wests Tigers by 28
TAB Sportsbet odds: Wests Tigers $1.08, Gold Coast $7.50