Sea Eagles vs Roosters

Matchup - Matt Ballin vs Jake Friend. Both teams have rather large forward packs and skill in abundance, but these two play a key role scooting out of dummy half and giving their halves quality ball quickly.

Key man - Jamie Buhrer is still developing in to a Glenn Stewart clone, but he's almost there. He'll need to offer what Stewart offers in terms of play making for Manly to have any chance of breaking down the Roosters defence.

Keep an eye on - Jason King and Boyd Cordner coming off the bench. Cordner is returning from a lengthy break and King is giving Manly great impact off the bench.

Verdict - Roosters <12.

Broncos vs Sharks

Matchup - Sam Thaiday vs Paul Gallen. Two of the best forwards in the game, fresh off of Origin, what more could you want!?

Key man - Justin Hodges will need to be at his cunning best. A full strength Sharks side can grind with the best of them, but Hodges offers an x factor with his running ability and his forwards will greatly appreciate his work out of dummy half.

Keep an eye on - Michael Lichaa and Fa'amanu Brown. With Lichaa off to the Dogs, it'll be interesting to see who gets the majority of the game time between these two.

Verdict - Sharks <12. Cheeky upset here.

Tigers vs Raiders

Matchup - James Tedesco vs Anthony Milford. Not much really needs to be said, two of the hottest young players who have had the most headlines this season.

Key man - Curtis Sironen not only gives the Tigers a big ball runner on the edge but with his history as a half he offers some great skill as well. The Raiders are battlers and Sironen's play making ability could be exciting.

Keep an eye on - Brenko Lee looked good last week on the wing for the Raiders.

Verdict - Tigers >12.

Cowboys vs Rabbitohs

Matchup - Robert Lui vs John Sutton. Lui hasn't quite secured his spot and he'll be up against a 6 who seems to always be playing well.

Key man - Jason Taumalolo must be a factor. With his size, speed and footwork, the Cowboys need him to step up against the Rabbitohs forwards ... especially as their size is more in the middle, not the edge.

Keep an eye on - The big boys off the bench for the Cowboys. How will the likes of Glen Hall, Ashton Sims and John Asiata go against the bench mark.

Verdict - Cowboys <12. They have to do something against the Bunnies or else JT might blow a casket.

Warriors vs Panthers

Matchup - Konrad Hurrell vs Isaah Yeo. Two youngsters with very different body types but a tonne of potential.

Key man - James Segeyaro and his lively running game, his energy and his direct play will help the Panthers get the Warriors on the back foot for Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace.

Keep an eye on - Charlie Gubb coming off the bench for the Warriors. Lots of energy and aggression.

Verdict - Warriors <12

Eels vs Knights

Matchup - Jarryd Hayne vs Darius Boyd. One fullback somewhere near the top of the world, the other well, Boyd is having a tough time.

Key man - Beau Scott vs Pauli Pauli. The old dog vs the young giant.

Keep an eye on - Peni Terepo could be very dangerous coming off the bench for the Eels. The Knights are an experienced group of battlers and Terepo is a hard running beast.

Verdict - Eels >12

Dragons vs Storm

Matchup - The Storm have two relatively make shift centres in Kurt Mann and Mahe Fonua while the Dragons have Josh Dugan and Gerard Beale. It'll be interesting.

Key man - Ben Roberts has to be good. Well kind of good, good enough that Billy Slater and Cam Smith don't have to do anything.

Keep an eye on - Kurt Mann isn't the biggest lad in the world and he's done very well filling in where he's been needed, he'll have a big test up against Beale.

Verdict - Storm <12