Rabbitohs vs Broncos

Matchup - Sam Burgess vs Sam Thaiday. Two of the best in the business who give it their all in all aspects of the game.

Key Man - Greg Inglis has the ability to take Souths to the promised land, it just depends how much he can get his mits on the ball.

Keep An Eye On - This will be a big test for the Broncos pack, watch for how they go about limited the Bunnies' momentum through the middle.

Verdict - Rabbitohs <12. They'll need a big effort to get up in Brisbane.

Eels vs Bulldgos

Matchup - Issac De Gois vs Michael Ennis. Two gritty dummy halves who can lay a reasonable platform by performing their core roles very well.

Key Man - Chris Sandow will have opportunities with the Dogs likely to mark up tightly on Jarryd Hayne, expect to see Sandow scooting around looking for gaps with this big Doggies pack.

Keep An Eye On - Tepai Moera's a very talented kid but this will probably be his biggest test on the biggest stage so far.

Verdict - Eels <12. I don't like the Dogs without Sam Kasiano.

Raiders vs Dragons

Matchup - Anthony Milford vs Gareth Widdop. A lot of their team's attack comes through these two blokes and whoever wakes up on the right side of the bed could have a biggun'.

Key Man - Trent Merrin has to offer what many other locks in the NRL are offering - heaps of toughness + a bit of skill.

Keep An Eye On - Gerard Beale at fullback, I love this move and hopefully we'll see Beale in open pastures.

Verdict - Dragons <12. Do or die.

Storm vs Sharks

Matchup - Ben Roberts vs Fa'amanu Brown. Two players who play a similar style and offer their side a bit of a point of difference.

Key Man - Valentine Holmes, if he can pop up everywhere and offer a threat that the Storm haven't seen before then the Sharks could have a sniff.

Keep An Eye On - Marika Koroibete has been on song since shifting to Melbourne.

Verdict - Storm >12. They need to get back on track asap.

Tigers vs Roosters

Matchup - I don't think Aaron Woods and Keith Galloway will be too proud of their performance last week so it'll be awesome to see them come up against Sam Moa and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Key Man - If Roger Tuivasa-Sheck can get in some space when the Roosters are on attack, game over.

Keep An Eye On - What on earth will the Tigers throw up?

Verdict - Roosters <12. They'll win the game up front ... or the Tigers will come out with a point to prove.

Knights vs Warriors

Matchup - Ngani Laumape vs Dane Gagai/Joey Leilua. I don't know exactly how they'll line up but either way Laumape is giving up a bit of size to his opponent.

Key Man - Sam Tomkins probes, he probes for a chance and with this big, rather slow Knights pack I reckon he'll be a successful prober.

Keep An Eye On - How Nathan Friend features in this one.

Verdict - Warriors <12. Do or die.

Titans vs Sea Eagles

Matchup - Aidan Sezer vs Kieran Foran. Two very, very good young 6's who have great influence on their team's performance.

Key Man - Anthony Watmough, he's gotta take it upon himself to piss some of these Titan's forwards off and dominate the middle.

Keep An Eye On - Neil Henry's influence.

Verdict - Sea Eagles <12. Too many weapons, too tough.

Panthers vs Cowboys

Matchup - Matt Moylan vs Michael Morgan. Two gun young fullbacks who love to run the footy as well as set things up.

Key Man - Robert Lui's ability to take some heat off Jonathan Thurston will be a huge factor through the rest of the season.

Keep An Eye On - Sam Hoare has been a beast since getting his first start with the Cowboys.

Verdict - Cowboys <12. They scare me.