Compiled by PETER JESSUP
Brisbane Broncos v Sydney Sharks
ANZ Stadium; Friday, May 26, 9.30 pm.
Broncos: Darren Lockyer, Lote Tuqiri, Tonie Carroll, Michael De Vere, Justin Hodges, Shaun Berrigan, Kevin Walters (c), Shane Webcke, Luke Priddis, Dane Carlaw, Brad Thorn, Gorden Tallis, Kevin Campion; interchange; Shane Walker, Michael Hancock, Ashley Harrison,Bradley Myers.
Sharks:
Preston Campbell, Mat Rogers, Paul Mellor, Russell Richardson, Colin Best, Adam Dykes, Blaine Stanley, Martin Lang, Dean Treister, Jason Stevens, Chris McKenna, Nathan Long, Nick Graham; interchange Andrew Pierce, Chris Beattie, Paul McNicholas, Mitch Healey.
Referee: Steve Clark.
* The manner in which the Bronco's Maroons back up after their second Origin run will determine the outcome. With prop Petero Civoniceva gone for the season (broken arm) and with Webcke, Tallis and Thorn playing their second game in three days, the home side will be short on firepower up front. There was further bad news as they struggle with instability in the halves - Ben Ikin out injured and clearly happier at centre anyway, Kevin Walters carrying a rib problem and rookie utility Ben Walker breaking his jaw in a feeder club game in Toowoomba. The Sharks will miss fullback David Peachey's rangy kick returns and will struggle to make ground.
Newcastle Knights v Auckland Warriors
Marathon Stadium; Saturday, May 27, 4.30 pm.
Knights: Adam MacDougall, Darren Albert, Matthew Gidley, Mark Hughes, Timana Tahu, Matthew Johns, Andrew Johns, Clinton O'Brien, Danny Buderus, Anthony Butterfield (c), David Fairleigh, Ben Kennedy, Bill Peden; interchange Matt Parsons, Steve Simpson, Josh Perry, Sean Rudder.
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, Monty Betham; interchange Jason Bell, Shontayne Hape, Ali Lauiti'iti, Jerry Seuseu.
Referee: Tim Mander.
* The home side have top try-scorer Darren Albert back after a lengthy recovery from a foot injury. Gidley will start in the centres after a brief return last weekend following a groin problem. Andrew Johns broke a bone in his hand last weekend and is backing up after Origin, as are MacDougall, in the unfamiliar fullback role, and second-rower Ben Kennedy. Perhaps hurting most is the uncertainty over Matthew Johns' future, with fans threatening to boycott the game. The Warriors take in an unchanged line-up, a rarity, and some confidence from back-to-back wins. They've been hammered every time they've been to Newcastle. This looks their best chance there.
Melbourne Storm v Penrith Panthers
Olympic Park; Saturday, May 27, 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), Ben Roarty, Matt Rua, Scott Hill; interchange Danny Williams, Paul Marquet, Russell Bawden, Brett O'Farrell.
Panthers: Peter Jorgensen, Robbie Beckett, Ryan Girdler, Shane Elford, Chris Hicks, Steve Carter (c), Matthew Rodwell, Craig Greenhill,, Craig Gower, Carl MacNamara, Matt Adamson, Tony Puletua, John Cross; interchange Mark Geyer, Jody Gall, Scott Sattler, David Woods.
Referee: Bill Harrigan.
* Storm coach Chris Anderson described last week's win with an Origin-depleted side as a four-pointer, one of the most satisfying of his career. Howe, Kearns, Hill and Kimmorley will again back up after Origin, with Girdler the only Panther playing twice in four days. The Panthers have a stable line-up, their hard forward pack back to first-choice players after a raft of injuries. But the Storm have a six-from-six record at home at night this season, including demolition jobs on the Dragons and Wests Tigers, the latter following Origin one. They're looking more like repeat premiers every game and should grind out a win with their usual style - big forward plays, followed by quick play-the-balls before Kimmorley probes.
North Queensland Cowboys v Parramatta Eels
Dairy Farmers Stadium; Saturday, May 27, 9.30 pm.
Cowboys: Tim Brasher (c), Adam Connelly, Paul Bowman, Julian O'Neill, Graham Appo, Scott Prince, Paul Green, Mark Shipway, Shaun Valentine, Brett Boyd, Glenn Morrison, Mark Shipway, Jeremy Schloss; interchange Nathan Fien, Peter Jones, John Buttigieg, Robert Relf.
Eels: Brett Hodgson, Pat Richards, Daniel Wagon, Stuart Kelly, Jason Moodie, Jason Smith, David Penna, Michael Vella, Dean Schifilliti, Nathan Cayless, Nathan Hindmarsh, Ian Hindmarsh, Jim Dymock (c); interchange Luke Burt, Jason Smith, David Westley, Gary Larson.
Referee: Mogsheen Jadwat.
* Unlike other sides where Origin might deplete players' reserves, in the case of prodigal sons Julian O'Neill and Tim Brasher it promises a dangerous rejuvenation. The Cows welcome back Brett Boyd after suspension and Glenn Morrison from injury. Bowman has been cleared of a back problem and Connelly of a knee strain. They'll fancy their chances after dumping the Eels at Parramatta early season, and have motive to get the two points a 14th man cost them. The Eels stirred murk in their own ranks this week when chairman Denis Fitzgerald said either Jim Dymock or Jason Smith would not be offered a contract for 2001 when negotiations open next month because the club couldn't fit both under the salary cap. They're ripe for the chop.
St George Illawarra Dragons v Northern Eagles
Sydney Football Stadium; Sunday, May 28, 4.30pm.
Dragons: Amos Roberts, Nathan Blacklock, Jamie Ainscough, Shaun Timmins, Lee Hookey, Trent Barrett, Luke Branighan, Chris Leikvoll, Nathan Brown (c), Luke Bailey, Andrew Hart, Darren Treacey, Wayne Bartrim; interchange Terry Lamey, Colin Ward, Jamie Fitzgerald, Jason Hooper.
Eagles: Andrew King, Brendon Reeves, Albert Torrens, Nigel Roy, Joshua Smith, Michael Buettner, Matt Orford, Paul Stringer, Geoff Toovey, Josh Stuart, Steve Menzies, Adam Muir, Daniel Gartner; interchange Owen Cunningham, Steve Trindall, Dragan Durdevic.
Referee: Mark Oaten.
* The Eagles have big problems in the halves and won't win here because of it. Jason Taylor has been dropped, the rumour his contract won't be renewed for next season, and further rumour putting Michael Buettner back to the Eels. So the mill has the Eagles going hard after both Johns brothers - the short trip from Newcastle to Gosford and the brothers' friendship with Adam Muir said to be telling factors. Their strength this season remains the combo in the back row, Menzies, Muir and Gartner, playing off Geoff Toovey. That won't be enough against a Dragons side fired up for a return to form and Trent Barrett should run this game. He and Nathan Brown will look to keep play in Eagles territory with their kicking array, and they have far more punch out wide.
Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers
Bruce Stadium; Sunday, May 28, 4.30 pm.
Raiders: Brett Mullins, Greg Wolfgramm, Luke Williamson, Anthony Swann, Lesley Vainikolo, Mark McLinden, Andrew McFadden, Luke Davico, Simon Woolford, Todd Payten, Jason Croker, David Furner, Laurie Daley (c); interchange Alan Tongue, Brandon Costin, Ruben Wiki, Justin Morgan.
Tigers: Matt Seers, Joel Caine, Kevin McGuinness, John Carlaw, John Hopoate, Ben Duckworth, Craig Field, John Skandalis, Darren Senter (c), Shane Walker, Mark O'Neill, Luke O'Donnell, Tyran Smith; interchange Ciriaco Mescia, Steve Georgalis, Justin Doyle, Hayes Lauder.
Referee: Paul Simpkins.
* Laurie Daley goes to lock in what for any other side would be the selection of major significance. However, the "Mac Attack" pairing in the halves has been dynamic in the past. The pair have had few games together this season, but both are in form. Lesley Vainikolo comes back after injury and former Marist back Greg Wolfgramm surprisingly survives after two monumental blunders late in the game against the Sharks, his failure to cover kicks allowing tries to Colin Best and Adam Dykes. Ruben Wiki's return after a brief run last week is timely against a team that prides itself on roughhouse tactics and hard forward play. Jarrod McCracken's absence with a neck strain is a telling blow for the Tigers. The Raiders don't get beaten at home.
Canterbury Bulldogs v Sydney City Roosters
Stadium Australia; Sunday, May 28, 4.30 pm.
Bulldogs: Rod Silva, Hazem El Masri, Darren Smith, Shane Marteene, Daryl Halligan, Brent Sherwin, Craig Polla-Mounter, Dennis Scott, Jason Hetherington, Darren Britt (c), Steve Price, Brad Clyde, Travis Norton; interchange Adam Perry, Jamie Feeney, Glen Hughes, Barry Ward.
Roosters: Luke Phillips, Matt Sing, Ryan Cross, Shannon Hegarty, Anthony Minichello, Brad Fittler (c), Adrian Lam, Scott Logan, Simon Bonetti, Ian Rubin, Bryan Fletcher, Craig Fitzgibbon, Luke Ricketson; interchange Darren Burns, Julian Bailey, Dallas Hood, Craig Wing.
Referee: Sean Hampstead.
* The Bulldogs season looks to be over after the loss of Ricky Stuart (anterior cruciate) and Steve Reardon (torn ankle ligaments), who both left the field against the Warriors last weekend. Darren Smith, Steve Price and Jason Hetherington back up from Origin for the Dogs. Fletcher, Fittler and Lam back up for the Roosters. The latter two should steer Sydney City to victory over youngster Brent Sherwin and perpetual reserve Polla-Mounter. The Roosters have more ball-playing ability in the pack now that Clyde's on the slide and look sharper and more inventive out back. Kiwi Richie Barnett, jaw unwired this week, hinted that he won't play again for them this season and that he also looks an unlikely starter for the World Cup in November.
Peter Jessup's picks:
Broncos
Warriors
Storm
Cowboys
Dragons
Raiders
Roosters
Success rate this season: 54%
Compiled by PETER JESSUP
Brisbane Broncos v Sydney Sharks
ANZ Stadium; Friday, May 26, 9.30 pm.
Broncos: Darren Lockyer, Lote Tuqiri, Tonie Carroll, Michael De Vere, Justin Hodges, Shaun Berrigan, Kevin Walters (c), Shane Webcke, Luke Priddis, Dane Carlaw, Brad Thorn, Gorden Tallis, Kevin Campion; interchange; Shane Walker, Michael Hancock, Ashley Harrison,Bradley Myers.
Sharks:
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