Raiders vs Sea Eagles

Match Up: Josh Hodgson vs Matt Parcell is a match up, I'm just not sure that it's a match up that will end too well for Manly. Hodgson is loving his time in the NRL and ticks all the boxes at the dummy half position, while Parcell joined Manly from Brisbane and hasn't quite been able to really impact games with the Sea Eagles. Parcell is a swift runner, that's his best bet in trying to match Hodgson ... who does it all.

Key Man: Daly Cherry-Evan has had plenty of time to settle in with his new team and we are yet to see the DCE that we know exists, somewhere on the northern beaches.  DCE is partnered with Jamie Lyon, so expect DCE to take care of the kicking and he'll get the most touches which is perfect as he tries to get back to dominant form.

Keep An Eye On: Junior Paulo could play his first game for the Raiders, don't bank on it though and Dylan Walker is set to back up his teeny-weeny Origin minutes at centre here. Walker could be a long-term centre at Manly, so it'll be interesting to see how influential he is out on the edge.

Verdict: Canberra <12. At home, a dominant forward pack and a spine that is stacking up games together.

Warriors vs Broncos

Match Up: Simon Mannering vs Corey Parker. Once upon a time I'd listen to an argument that Mannering was as good as Parker, I'd at least listen to it. Parker has continued to improve and reach greater heights, ageing like fine wine while Mannering has effectively been a non-factor in far too many Warriors games this season. We'll either get a clear example of this, or Mannering will step up to the plate and give us an epic battle through the middle.

Key Man: The quality of Anthony Milford is such that he could tear the Warriors apart on te edges, even if the Broncos forwards aren't quite dominating. Milford plays down the left and along with his collection of weapons at his disposal, he wil give Blake Ayshford nightmares.

Keep An Eye On: Travis Waddell starts for Brisbane, keeping Kodi Nikorima on the bench to add his spark. The spark battle between Nikorima and Nathaniel Roache could be interesting.

Verdict: Broncos <12. Origin omissions could impact this one, if Brisbane roll out most of their Origin players though they should be too good.

Cowboys vs Knights

Match Up: Mathew Scott/James Tamou vs Sam Mataora/Daniel Saifiti. The two OG's of NRL props up against the youngsters, who have consistently improved in a weak Knights side this season. Mataora and Saifiti will be eager to make their mark against the best in the league, while Scott and Tamou could be under some Origin fatigue or may get pulled, leaving Mataora and Saifiti with a chance to impress.

Key Man: We saw how crucial Lachlan Coote was last week, sliding up into the halves ahead of Origin and we're only going to be given another example of Coote's brilliance this week. Coote could have to step in for Michael Morgan and he'll do so with class, if he's at fullback he should have a jolly ol' time attacking the Knights' right edge.

Keep An Eye On: Sione Mata'utia is slowly getting back to playing at a high level with consistent game time at centre. Newcastle don't need him playing at his best now, they just need him to continue to get better and learn the craft of being an NRL centre, then Mata'utia will be a key figure in a growing Knights team.

Verdict: Cowboys >12. Too slick.

Storm vs Panthers

Match Up: Kenny Bromwich vs Peter Wallace. Cameron Smith might be a late call up, but I hope not because the younger Bromwich has a few wrongs to right at dummy half. Bromwich wasn't overly flash in the Anzac Test at dummy half and he'll come up against Peter Wallace who is a half, doing a job at hooker and doing a fine job at that.

Key Man: Blake Green has clubs chasing his signature and he's been named to start alongside Tohu Harris in the halves for Melbourne. Green is genuinely good enough to control this game with little help from Harris, which is led by his kicking game and he's had plenty of practice during the season as he's enjoyed greater responsibility with every week.

Keep An Eye On: In naming Bryce Cartwright and Trent Merrin on the edges, Panthers coach Anthony Griffin has made his intentions pretty clear. Both have great footwork and push offloads without a second thought while also maintaining a strong physical presence on either edge, expect Penrith to hit these blokes early, sit back and enjoy the show.

Verdict: Panthers <12. The Panthers will throw the footy around, it'll be fun.

Roosters vs Tigers

Match Up: Ryan Matterson vs Mitchell Moses. Two young halves who have had huge praise lumped on them and have delivered somewhat. They both love to run the footy with Matterson a stronger runner and Moses' running game is more based around speed and agility. The little touches of class will be crucial as they will be called on to finish sets and kick long; whoever does that better will likely enjoy the W.

Key Men: Up against a typically brutal Roosters forward pack, we'll get a nice gauge of the Tigers forwards who have impressed in recent weeks. The only way the Tigers stay in this game is if they can contain the Roosters forwards and somehow wiggle their way down field; the skill and subtlety of Robbie Farah and Elijah Taylor will be just as important as the power of Aaron Woods, Ava Seumanufagai etc.

Keep An Eye On: No one would expect Matt Ballin to come on an provide some x-factor like a Kodi Nikorima as he's more suited to a starting/80mins dummy half role. How Ballin influence this game when he comes of the bench will be interesting as he could just help Farah ease up on his minutes or he could come on as an extra forward.

Verdict: Roosters <12. I'm going with the size and power of the Chooks.

Rabbitohs vs Titans

Match Up: Sam Burgess vs Greg Bird. Burgess is going to be frothing to smash someone while Bird may not even play after Origin and if he does, he'll be up to his neck in some sort of fatigue. They are both incredibly tough and play as such, but they've also got skills with Burgess capable of offloading as he wishes and Bird able to threat the needle with passes and kicks.

Key Man: Nathan Peats comes up against one of his former clubs and will come off the bench to either give Nathan Friend a spell, or play alongside Friend. Peats is on the cusp of Origin footy and he'll influence the game when he comes on, it's just that he'll likely come on around the same time as Leivaha Pulu and Agnatius Paasi who offer plenty of x-factor themselves. Expect things to ramp up a gear with these three come on, with Peats to cause havoc around the ruck.

Keep An Eye On: We're on Koni watch, he could slide onto the Titans' bench and we get Cody Walker at fullback for the Bunnies once again which I love.

Verdict: Titans <12. Cheeky upset of sorts, gritty forward pack but all about that impact off the bench.

Bulldogs vs Sharks

Match Up: Will Hopoate vs Ben Barba. Both fullbacks have been in the news recently, but not exactly for their on-field exploits as Hopoate has missed multiple Sunday games and Barba is back living it up OTP. It goes without saying that both are crucial and while Sam Perrett has done a nice job at fullback, Hopoate is capable of silky touches that could spark the Doggies' attack.

Key Man: With James Maloney coming off of Origin, expect the Bulldogs to put Chad Townsend under the pump and how Townsend responds will be crucial. Townsend will likely take on more responsibility and against a strong defensive side like the Doggies we'll see what Townsend is capable of.

Keep An Eye On: Jack Bird and Wade Graham would have been watching Origin, they could have been playing. They'll be out to showcase their talents so expect them to be focal points of the Sharks' attack with Bird at right centre and Graham down the left. Throw in Michael Ennis, who'll also be keen to make an impression through the middle.

Verdict: Sharks <12. There's still a funky smell coming from Bankstown and the Sharks are not only looking slick, a few lads have a point to preview.