Rabbitohs vs Roosters

Matchup - Mitchell Aubusson and Heath L'Estrange vs Isaac Luke. Luke could have a field day through the middle with Aubusson and L'Estrange not coming close to the powerful Luke. The lack of a dummy half threat could make it easier for the Rabbitohs to line up Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney as well.

Key Man - John Sutton returns and his ability to run the ball like a forward will add a different dimension to the Bunnies. If he can execute his key half jobs as well as run and offload etc, watch out.

Keep An Eye On - Sutton's halves partner Mr Keary. Probably his biggest game so far ya?

Verdict - Roosters <12. I think they'll win this battle while the Bunnies will win the war.

Storm vs Broncos

Matchup - Billy Slater vs Justin Hodges. Two fullbacks who ooze class when they run the ball, but also offer a great play making option for their sides.

Key Man - Ben Hunt, he'll be put under plenty of pressure from the Storm who'll have a plan or 20 to stop him.

Keep An Eye On - The Storm's kiwi crew - J Bromwich, Proctor and Harris. They could provide a bit of razzle dazzle and/or oomph.

Verdict - Storm <12. Assuming Cooper Cronk and Cam Smith wake up on the right side of the bed ... which they do 95% of the time.

West Tigers vs Sharks

Matchup - Umm Blake Ayshford and Chris Heighington vs the Tigers?

Key Man - Blake Austin is low key having a fantastic season and when he runs the ball, things happen.

Keep An Eye On - Take your pic from any of the youngsters getting a run, if I had to drop a name I'd say ... Pat Politoni.

Verdict - Sharks <12. This was a late switch for me as the Shark's battler halves pairing look much more likely to control the game than Austin and Mitch Moses.

Raiders vs Eels

Matchup - Anthony Milford vs anyone who tries to stop him.

Key Man - Chris Sandow made the Eels look like an unstoppable force early in the season and he's gotta pull a rabbit out of the hat this week.

Keep An Eye On - If you missed watching Tepai Moeroa last week, watch him this week #beast.

Verdict - Eels <12. Too much razzle dazzle + too much power.

Cowboys vs Sea Eagles

Matchup - Tautau Moga/Kane Linnett vs Steve Matai/Jamie Lyon. Two of the best youngsters vs two of the best, period.

Key Men - Michael Morgan and Robert Lui. Their importance increases as the games get more important and teams look for ways to stop Jonathan Thurston.

Keep An Eye On - Manly's bench. They make do with smaller more mobile forwards coming on through the middle, but this week they'll have to stop the likes of James Tamou coming off the pine.

Verdict - Cowboys <12. Home advantage.

Knights vs Dragons

Matchup - Chanel and Sione vs Peter.

Key Man - Benji Marshall, this is why they brought him in.

Keep An Eye On - Kyle Stanley getting the dummy half spot, not a classic dummy half but someone who's been doing a job for a while.

Verdict - Dragons <12. Marshall and Widdop to wreak havoc.

Titans vs Bulldogs

Matchup - Aidan Sezer vs Josh Reynolds. They'll know each other pretty well as Sezer was a Bulldogs junior and they'll play key roles.

Key Man - James Graham could play the Titans out of this contest by himself.

Keep An Eye On - if the Titans don't come to play, like last week, the Dogs could open things up.

Verdict - Dogs <12. The Titans will come to play, but will lack what the Doggies have.

Panthers vs Warriors

Matchup - Can't go past Jamal Idris vs Konrad Hurrell can ya!?

Key Man - Jacob Lillyman, if he sets the tone, expect the rest of the Warriors forwards to follow.

Keep An Eye On - Kierran Moseley coming off the bench, was alright last week in place of James Segeyaro.

Verdict - Warriors <12. If their forwards show up with aggression and energy, they should be too much to handle.