The magic is over as we move onto Round 10 of the season, with State of Origin looming and teams jockeying for places in the top eight. This week throws up some very tough games to tip with the Panthers facing the Warriors, the Rabbitohs visiting the Raiders, the Eels travelling to Townsville, the Titans and Bulldogs fighting over the wooden spoon and the Dragons meeting the Knights in Mudgee.
Good luck with your tips.
Jump ahead to a particular game.
Storm vs.Tigers
Panthers vs. Warriors
Broncos vs. Roosters
Titans vs. Bulldogs
Cowboys vs. Eels
Raiders vs. Rabbitohs
Dragons vs. Knights
Sharks vs. Sea Eagles
Thursday, May 16
Melbourne Storm vs. Wests Tigers, AAMI Park, 7:50pm (AEST)
Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Will Chambers 4. Marion Seve 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Brodie Croft 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Dale Finucane Reserves: 14. Brandon Smith 15. Christian Welch 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Patrick Kaufusi 18. Billy Walters 19. Joe Stimson 20. Tino Faasuamaleaui 21. Sandor Earl
Tigers: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Mahe Fonua 3. Robert Jennings 4. Esan Marsters 5. Corey Thompson 6. Benji Marshall 7. Luke Brooks 8. Ben Matulino 9. Robbie Farah 10. Alex Twal 11. Ryan Matterson 12. Chris McQueen 13. Matt Eisenhuth Reserves: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Josh Aloiai 17. Michael Chee-Kam 18. Paul Momirovski 19. Elijah Taylor 20. Oliver Clark 21. Luke Garner
Verdict: Storm players were stung by some heavy criticism from coach Craig Bellamy before last week and responded by annihilating the Eels. The Tigers bounced back from their own loss to convincingly beat the hapless Panthers. This promises to be a great game if the right Tigers show up. Michael Maguire's side have been so inconsistent this year, they'll either win this by 10 points or lose it by 40.
Tip: Storm
TAB odds: Storm $1.20 (-12.5 $1.90) Tigers $4.75 (+12.5 $1.90)
Friday, May 17
Penrith Panthers vs. New Zealand Warriors, Panthers Stadium, 6:00pm (AEST)
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Brian To'o 3. Dean Whare 4. Waqa Blake 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. James Maloney 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Sione Katoa 10. Tim Grant 11. Viliame Kikau 12. James Fisher-Harris 13. Liam Martin Reserves: 14. Jarome Luai 15. Tyrell Fuimaono 16. Moses Leota 17. Kaide Ellis 18. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 19. Hame Sele 20. Frank Winterstein 21. Caleb Aekins
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Peta Hiku 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Blake Green 8. Agnatius Paasi 9. Nathaniel Roache 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Isaiah Papalii 12. Tohu Harris 13. Lachlan Burr Reserves: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Ligi Sao 17. Karl Lawton 18. Gerard Beale 20. Chanel Harris-tavita 22. Issac Luke 23. Adam Blair
Verdict: With both teams firmly on my "do not tip" list I'm calling this the toughest game to pick so far this year The Panthers have been absolutely horrible and coach Ivan Cleary looks like he's struggling to work out what he can do about it. The Warriors are rocks or diamonds from week to week and surprised many last week with a fightback victory over the Dragons. You have to believe that the Panthers will show some backbone sooner or later and particularly at home..
Tip: Panthers
TAB odds: Panthers $1.75 (-2.5 $1.95) Warriors $2.10 (+2.5 $1.85)
Brisbane Broncos vs. Sydney Roosters, Suncorp Stadium, 7:55pm (AEST)
Broncos: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Anthony Milford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Thomas Flegler Reserves: 14. Patty Carrigan 15. David Fifita 16. Tevita Pangai 17. Joe Ofahengaue 18. James Segeyaro 19. James Roberts 20. Jaydn Su'a 21. Sean O'Sullivan
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Victor Radley 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Mitchell Aubusson 12. Angus Crichton 13. Isaac Liu Reserves: 14. Nat Butcher 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Lindsay Collins 17. Sitili Tupouniua 18. Poasa Faamausili 19. Sam Verrills 20. Brock Lamb 21. Ryan Hall
Verdict: This is a massive game for the under siege Broncos as they fight to prove that they can compete with the best teams in the competition. They showed some promising signs against a depleted Sea Eagles team last week, but the Roosters are in sparkling form and will be a completely different hurdle. The reigning premiers stumbled across the line last week against the Raiders after losing several players to injury. The Chooks should be too good in this one.
Tip: Roosters
TAB odds: Broncos $2.75 (+6.5 $1.85) Roosters $1.45 (-6.5 $1.95)
Saturday, May 17
Gold Coast Titans vs. Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, Cbus Super Stadium, 3:00pm (AEST)
Titans: 1. Alexander Brimson 2. Anthony Don 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Brian Kelly 5. Dale Copley 6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Ash Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Jai Arrow Reserves: 14. Jesse Arthars 15. Shannon Boyd 16. Jack Stockwell 17. Max King 18. Jai Whitbread 19. Will Matthews 20. Ryley Jacks 21. Brenko Lee
Bulldogs: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Jayden Okunbor 3. Marcelo Montoya 4. Will Hopoate 5. Reimis Smith 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jack Cogger 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Dylan Napa 11. Josh Jackson 12. Corey Harawira-Naera 13. Danny Fualalo Reserve: 14. Rhyse Martin 15. Ofahiki Ogden 16. Chris Smith 17. Sauaso Sue 19. Fa'amanu Brown 20. Lachlan Lewis 21. Kerrod Holland 22. Renouf To'omaga
Verdict: The Titans competed well with the Sharks last week, before running out of steam. The Bulldogs gave the Knights too much start before deciding to play football. Kieran Foran looked good in his return from injury for the Bulldogs and second week back he might just lead the Bulldogs to their third victory of the year. This game should be a real scrap with both clubs keen to move away from the dreaded wooden spoon.
Tip: Bulldogs
TAB odds: Titans $1.65 (-3.5 $1.90) Bulldogs $2.25 (+3.5 $1.90)
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Parramatta Eels, 1300SMILES Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)
Cowboys: 1. Jordan Kahu 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O'Neill 4. Tom Opacic 5. Ben Hampton 6. John Asiata 7. Michael Morgan 8. Matt Scott 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo Reserves: 14. Kurt Baptiste 15. Mitchell Dunn 16. Scott Bolton 17. Francis Molo 18. Corey Jensen 19. Gideon Gela-Mosby 20. Shane Wright 21. Jake Clifford
Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson 2. George Jennings 3. Josh Hoffman 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Will Smith 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Marata Niukore 13. Manu Ma'u Reserves: 14. Peni Terepo 15. Tim Mannah 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Oregon Kaufusi 18. Kane Evans 19. Matt McIlwrick 20. Jaeman Salmon 21. Bevan French
Verdict: The Cowboys were soundly beaten by the Rabbitohs in the last game of Magic Round, while the Eels were embarrassed by the Storm the night before. This is another game that is proving tough to pick, as the Clint Gutherson contract rumblings out of Parramatta are proving to be an unwanted distraction to the players. The Cowboys at home could spring an upset here.
Tip: Cowboys
TAB odds: Cowboys $1.67 (-2.5 $1.90) Eels $2.20 (+2.5 $1.90)
Canberra Raiders vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs, GIO Stadium, 7:35pm (AEST)
Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Nick Cotric 5. Michael Oldfield 6. Jack Wighton 7. Sam Williams 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Dunamis Lui 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliot Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton Reserves: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Sebastian Kris 16. Iosia Soliola 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Aidan Sezer 19. Emre Guler 20. Royce Hunt 21. Jack Murchie
Rabbitohs: 1. Corey Allan 2. Mawene Hiroti 3. Kyle Turner 4. Dane Gagai 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. George Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Thomas Burgess 11. John Sutton 12. Sam Burgess 13. Cameron Murray Reserves: 14. Tevita Tatola 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ethan Lowe 17. Liam Knight 18. Jacob Gagan 19. Bayley Sironen 20. Dean Britt 21. Tom Amone
Verdict: The Raiders finished strongly against the Roosters last week after giving away a big start. The Rabbitohs continued their impressive season with a comfortable win over the Cowboys. This is another toss of the coin game, with the Raiders impressive at home this year and the Rabbitohs just about due for a loss. Still, I can't go past the Bunnies here.
Tip: Rabbitohs
TAB odds: Raiders $2.25 (+3.5 $1.90) Rabbitohs $1.65 (-3.5 $1.90)
Sunday, May 19
St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Newcastle Knights, Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee 2:00pm (AEST)
Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Zac Lomax 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jai Field 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. Blake Lawrie Reserves: 14. Jeremy Latimore 15. Euan Aitken 16. Jacob Host 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Mitchell Allgood 19. Jonus Pearson 20. Josh Kerr 21. Korbin Sims
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Connor Watson 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Danny Levi 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tim Glasby Reserves: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Herman Ese'ese 16. James Gavet 17. Sione Mata'utia 18. Josh King 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Jamie Buhrer 21. Mason Lino
Verdict: The Dragons would have been very disappointed with their late fade against the Warriors last week. The Knights did enough to beat the Bulldogs without being overly impressive. The Dragons have lost three in a row and will be very determined to turn things around with this home game in Mudgee.
Tip: Dragons
TAB odds: Dragons $1.70 (-2.5 $1.90) Knights $2.15 (+2.5 $1.90)
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, PointsBet Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)
Sharks: 1. Josh Dugan 2. Sosaia Feki 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Josh Morris 5. Aaron Gray 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Chad Townsend 8. Andrew Fifita 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Matt Prior 11. Briton Nikora 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Paul Gallen Reserves: 14. Blayke Brailey 15. Jayson Bukuya 16. Jack Williams 17. Braden Hamlin-uele 18. Scott Sorensen 19. Sione Katoa 20. Billy Magoulias 21. Will Kennedy
Sea Eagles: 1. Brendan Elliott 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Dylan Walker 4. Brad Parker 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Lachlan Croker 7. Kane Elgey 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic Reserves: 14. Manase Fainu 15. Jack Gosiewski 16. Corey Waddell 17. Morgan Boyle 18. Kelepi Tanginoa 19. Cade Cust 20. Taniela Paseka 21. Lloyd Perrett
Verdict: The battle of the beaches sees both sides limp onto the field with some of their best players sitting on the injured list. The Sea Eagles welcome Dylan Walker back from his "No Blame" policy sojourn and he will certainly help them creatively in Daly Cherry-Evans' continued absence. The Sharks are always tough to beat at home, even though the crowds tend to stay home on a Thursday night.
Tip: Sharks
TAB odds: Sharks $1.55 (-4.5 $1.90) Sea Eagles $2.45 (+4.5 $1.90)