Compiled by PETER JESSUP
Melbourne Storm v Wests Tigers
Olympic Park; Friday, May 12, 9.30 pm.
Storm: Matt Geyer, Fifita Maola, Aaron Moule, Tony Martin, Brad Watts, Tasesa Lavea, Brett Kimmorley, Rodney Howe, Richard Swain, Robbie Kearns (c), Stephen Kearney, Matt Rua, Scott Hill; interchange Danny Williams, Paul Marquet, Russell Bawden, Ben Roarty.
Tigers:
Matt Seers, Joel Caine, Kevin McGuinness, John Carlaw, John Hopoate, Michael Gillett, James Webster, John Skandalis, Darren Senter, Shane Walker, Mark O'Neill, Jarrod McCracken (c), Tyran Smith; interchange Ciriaco Mescia, Luke O'Donnell, Owen Craigie, Mark Stimson.
Referee: Paul Simpkins.
* Storm coach Chris Anderson has named all his Origin players but kept Brisbane Norths standbys Peter Robinson, Wade Fenton, Kevin Carmichael and Glen Turner in town to cover injuries. The squad has trained with Melbourne's Tigers basketball side this week as he tries to keep them fresh and interested. The Tigers will rest Terry Hill after Origin, have a strong and stable line-up in the forwards, but lose halves Ben Duckworth (high tackle) and Craig Field (kicking), suspended for a week.
Northern Eagles v Auckland Warriors
Brookvale Oval; Saturday, May 13, 4.30 pm.
Eagles: Brendon Reeves, Andrew Frew, Albert Torrens, Michael Buettner, Nigel Roy, Adam Hayden, Jason Taylor, Paul Stringer, Geoff Toovey, Steve Trindall, Steve Menzies, Adam Muir, Owen Cunningham; interchange Jamie Goddard, Damien Driscoll, Greg Ebrill, Andrew King.
Warriors: Scott Pethybridge, Odell Manuel, David Myles, Nigel Vagana, Lee Oudenryn, John Simon (c), Stacey Jones, Joe Vagana, Robert Mears, Terry Hermansson, Logan Swann, Tony Tuimavave, Jason Death; interchange Jason Bell, Shontayne Hape, Ali Lauiti'iti, Jerry Seuseu.
Referee: Mogsheen Jadwat.
* Both sides were well beaten and will have suffered the coachs' lash. There are changes aplenty, the Warriors bringing in Jason Bell from Newtown, sending some of their young players down for more experience and to build confidence, and putting centre David Myles and Ali Lauiti'iti back in after three week suspensions.
The Eagles have a good home record, including the scalp of Brisbane. They'll employ the multi-kicking game others have beaten the Warriors with. Auckland have everything to play for.
Canterbury Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights
Stadium Australia; Saturday, May 13, 9.30 pm.
Bulldogs: Rod Silva, Hazem El Masri, Darren Smith, Shane Marteene, Daryl Halligan, Brent Sherwin, Ricky Stuart, Dennis Scott, Jason Hetherington, Darren Britt (c), Steve Reardon, Brad Clyde, Travis Norton; interchange Craig Polla-Mounter, Steve Price, Barry Ward, Willie Mason.
Knights: Adam MacDougall, Timana Tahu, Matthew Gidley, Mark Hughes, Lenny Beckett, Matthew Johns, Andrew Johns, David Fairleigh, Danny Buderus, Anthony Butterfield (c), Peter Shiels, Ben Kennedy, Bill Peden; interchange Matt Parsons, Steve Simpson, Glenn Grief, Sean Rudder.
Referee: Steve Clark.
* The Bulldogs are again virtually unchanged, centre Steve Hughes gone after flipping over the handlebars of his bike while on a training and rehab ride, and requiring knee surgery. The Knights are coping with the news Matthew Johns is going, unable to be fitted under the salary cap. They have a forward pack to out-tough the Dogs and more spark out back. The game may hinge on how well the Johns boys perform given the injury and transfer pressure.
Canberra Raiders v North Queensland Cowboys
Bruce Stadium; Saturday, May 13, 9.30 pm.
Raiders: Mark McLinden, Greg Wolfgramm, Luke Williamson, Anthony Swann, Lesley Vainikolo, Laurie Daley (c), Brett Finch, Luke Davico, Lincoln Withers, Todd Payten, Jason Croker, David Furner, Brandon Costin; interchange Mark Corvo, Justin Morgan, Alan Tongue, Terry Martin.
Cowboys: Tim Brasher (c), Adam Connelly, Julian O'Neill, Paul Bowman, Damien Smith, Scott Prince, Paul Green, Mark Shipway, Martin Locke, Leigh McWilliams, John Buttigieg, Kyle Warren, Jeremy Schloss; interchange Nathan Fien, Peter Jones, Glenn Morrison, Robert Relf.
Referee: Mark Oaten.
* The Raiders have a remarkably good record at home and on paper look like having little difficulty with a disorganised and demoralised Cowboys outfit. The Cows halves change again, coach Sheens unhappy with Noel Goldthorpe's returns last week. The Raiders have dropped fullback Brett Mullins, not considered for any grade of football this week after he missed training and offered slepping in as the excuse. Ruben Wiki is a week away.
Parramatta Eels v St George Illawarra Dragons
Parramatta Stadium; Sunday, May 14, 4.30 pm.
Eels: Brett Hodgson, Clinton Schifcoscke, Daniel Wagon, Stuart Kelly, Jason Moodie, Jason Smith, Ben Kusto, Michael Vella, Dean Schifilliti, David Westley, Nathan Hindmarsh, Ian Hindmarsh, Jim Dymock (c); interchange Dennis Moran, Andrew Ryan, David Vaeliki, Gary Larson.
Dragons: Luke Patten, Nathan Blacklock, Jamie Ainscough, Shaun Timmins, Mark Gasnier, Trent Barrett, Luke Branighan, Luke Bailey, Nathan Brown (c), Andrew Hart, Darren Treacey, Corey Pearson, Colin Ward; interchange Terry Lamey, Chris Leikvoll, Amos Roberts, Jason Hooper.
Referee: Bill Harrigan.
* Jason Smith returns from an Origin lock position to play standoff, and Michael Vella backs up at prop in a Parra pack that should have the edge at home, the Dragons sorely missing Craig Smith and Wayne Bartrim. Eels rake Dean Schifilliti escaped suspension on a striking charge due to a clear record. Little can be read into the Dragons big win last week given how bad Auckland was. But Trent Barrett was great at his preferred spot at standoff after Mundine's departure and much will rest on his game.
Brisbane Broncos v Sydney City Roosters
ANZ Stadium; Sunday, May 14, 4.30 pm.
Broncos: Darren Lockyer, Lote Tuqiri, Tonie Carroll, Michael De Vere, Wendell Sailor, Ben Ikin, Kevin Walters (c), Petero Civoniceva, Luke Priddis, Shane Webcke, Brad Thorn, Gorden Tallis, Kevin Campion; interchange; Dane Carlaw, Michael Hancock, Ashley Harrison, Shaun Berrigan.
Roosters: Luke Phillips, Shannon Hegarty, Ryan Cross, Julian Roberts, Matt Sing, Brad Fittler (c), Adrian Lam, Peter Cusack, Simon Bonetti, Ian Rubin, Bryan Fletcher, Craig Fitzgibbon, Luke Ricketson; interchange Darren Burns, Scott Logan, Dallas Hood, Craig Wing.
Referee: Tim Mander.
* The Roosters have three backing up after Origin, the Broncos six. But the home side proved last week that it is remarkably resilient and has great depth of talent, calling on a raft of youngsters who really stood up against Canberra. 17-year-old wing Justin Hodges is their youngest-ever starter, rested this week along with youngest Walker brother Chris, but both will be back. The Roosters look short up front, provided the Broncos don't run out of steam.
Sydney Sharks v Penrith Panthers
Shark Park; Sunday, May 14, 4.30 pm.
Sharks: David Peachey (c) Mat Rogers, Paul Mellor, Russell Richardson, Colin Best, Adam Dykes, Jason Ferris, Martin Lang, Dean Treister, Jason Stevens, Sean Ryan, Andrew Pierce, Nick Graham; interchange Tim Maddison, Paul McNicholas, Paul Donaghy, Mitch Healey.
Panthers: Peter Jorgensen, Robbie Beckett, Ryan Girdler, Shane Elford, Chris Hicks, Steve Carter (c), Matthew Rodwell, Jody Gall, Craig Gower, Craig Greenhill, Matt Adamson, Scott Sattler, John Cross; interchange Mark Geyer, Carl MacNamara, Lee Hopkins, Ned Catic.
* The Sharks have David Peachey, Mat Rogers, Martin Lang and Jason Stevens backing up after Origin while the Panthers have just Ryan Girdler. Panthers coach Royce Simmons reckons he still has 10 players on the injured list and uncharitably suggested last week that he wished other teams would suffer similar fates - "broken bones and the like." With Craig Gower back to start they'll be energetic around the ruck, but the bigger Sharks pack should wear them down and the home side has way more class out wide. ET remains another week away, possibly two.
Peter Jessup's picks:
Tigers
Warriors
Bulldogs
Raiders
Eels
Broncos
Sharks
Success rate this season: 51%
Compiled by PETER JESSUP
Melbourne Storm v Wests Tigers
Olympic Park; Friday, May 12, 9.30 pm.
Storm: Matt Geyer, Fifita Maola, Aaron Moule, Tony Martin, Brad Watts, Tasesa Lavea, Brett Kimmorley, Rodney Howe, Richard Swain, Robbie Kearns (c), Stephen Kearney, Matt Rua, Scott Hill; interchange Danny Williams, Paul Marquet, Russell Bawden, Ben Roarty.
Tigers:
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