Bulldogs vs Roosters

Match Up - Josh Reynolds vs James Maloney. NSW selections aside, this will be a great battle as both have shown, with their form and lack of it how important they are to their respective team's fortunes.

Key Man - James Graham will help the Doggies out greatly with his extra bit of ball playing, which could be why their halves haven't been going so well. He's also more well rounded then the Bulldog's big boys so he'll be key on defensive as well.

Keep An Eye On - Jackson Hastings has found his niche at the moment with the Roosters coming off the bench and has been very good. He played fullback for the Junior Kangaroos and it looks like Trent Robinson just wants him on the paddock.

Verdict - Roosters >12. Expect them to roll on from last week.

Cowboys vs Broncos

Match Up - Lachlan Coote vs Darius Boyd. Both these fullbacks love to get their hands on the ball and add a bit of class on attack, they'll be vital to finding space on the outside.

Key Man - Matt Scott fires up around Origin time and he's going to have to against a rugged Broncos forward pack.

Keep An Eye On - Ethan Lowe continues to impress and with Gavin Cooper on one edge and Lowe on the other, Jonathan Thurston has two great hole runners.

Verdict - Cowboys <12. If their forwards can muscle up, they have more attacking weapons to get the job done.

Eels vs Warriors

Match Up - The Eels have two beasts in Manu Ma'u and Tepai Moeroa  to ruffle feathers while the Warriors have Ryan Hoffman and Bodene Thompson who will focus on running holes. Two different styles which is always nice.

Key Man - Jacob Lillyman doesn't quite deserve his Queensland jersey right now, but a monster effort against the Eels in support of Ben Matulino would be handy.

Keep An Eye On - Pauli Pauli for the Eels and Sione Lousi for the Warriors get a run off the bench and they'll add plenty of size and power.

Verdict - Warriors >12. They won't have to worry about Chris Sandow's attack so they should be fine.

Titans vs Sharks

Match Up - Kane Elgey vs Jack Bird. The two young halves who have stepped up the most in 2015 and they have done so because their respective teams need them to.

Key Man - Josh Hoffman was reasonably impressive in the Titans big loss to the Raiders and he'll need to be at his best to break down the Sharks and give his halves a bit more space.

Keep An Eye On - Blake Ayshford will likely line up against James Roberts which, when making your NRL return is a tough ask.

Verdict - Titans <12. Toss up, this one could go either way but it's hard to see the Titans dishing up crap two weeks in a row.

Storm vs Rabbitohs

Match Up - Billy Slater vs Greg Inglis. Two of the very best and with Inglis continuing to take more play-making responsibility, he's looking more and more like Slater.

Key Man - Jesse Bromwich has to take care of the big boys from Redfern, but his attack play with late footwork, offloads and quick play the balls will trouble the Rabbitohs ... especially with the big three lurking through the middle.

Keep An Eye On - Aaron Gray looks like he'll be on the wing for a while with the Rabbits and it's good to see Kenny Bromwich back in the mix for the Storm.

Verdict - Storm >12. Adam Reynolds makes a big difference and the Storm have a nice balance across the park.

Dragons vs Raiders

Match Up - Mitch Rein vs Josh Hodgson. Two low key hookers who play key roles, don't sleep on Hodgson who was very impressive for England last year and is continuing that form.

Key Man - Mitch Cornish has big boots to fill with Sam Williams leading the Raiders admirably through their purple patch. Williams actually replaced Cornish which coincided with a change in fortunes so Cornish has a lot to prove.

Keep An Eye On - Paul Vaughan has the makings of a very good NRL prop; he's big and very mobile.

Verdict - Dragons <12. I got to go with the Drags, with uncertainty as to how Cornish will lead the Raiders around.

Knights vs Wests Tigers

Match Up - The Fijian brothers! Akuila Uate vs Kevin Naiqama, even if they don't line up against each other, it'll be great to see who has a bigger impact on the game.

Key Man - Beau Scott could have a field day running at the Tigers small halves, probably Luke Brooks.

Keep An Eye On - Dane Gagai has switched to fullback to allow Sione Mata'utia to play centre and if my memory serves me correctly, Gagai was first a fullback/winger. How he goes for the Knights at the back will be very interesting.

Verdict - Tigers <12. Their quicker, power style should trouble the Knights who are a bit bigger. Obviously that could work the other way, but I like the Tigers here.

Sea Eagles vs Panthers 

Match Up - Jamie Lyon/Steve Matai vs Waqa Blake/Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. The two wiley veterans up against two of the brightest young backs in the NRL.

Key Man - Feleti Mateo will come off the bench and with Tom Symonds named at six, you can expect Mateo to do plenty of ball playing. Having him come off the bench will also allow Manly to switch their style up.

Keep An Eye On - Blake Leary has been very impressive with Manly's consistent injury situation.

Verdict - Sea Eagles <12. They finally have a full strength back line and a bit more muscle in their forward pack.