Dragons vs Broncos

Match Up: Benji Marshall vs Ben Hunt. In a game like this, which must be considered a must-win for both teams, you can always refer back to the halfbacks and how they compare against each other in leading their respective teams. The thing here is that neither Marshall or Hunt has been able to play a dominant hand this season - as they have done previously - and control proceedings while also offering some funk on attack. It's crunch time now so who will step up?

Key Man: Josh McGuire is back and he's joined by his Origin homies in Matt Gillett and Sam Thaiday, but the Broncos desperately need McGuire's starch through the middle here. McGuire will be fizzing after spending some time on the sidelines so expect him to take upwards of 15 carries and make plenty of metres, which should help get Brisbane on top ... up the guts.

Keep An Eye On: Luciano Leilua, this kids is a beast. Younger brother of Joey and he's got the size to trouble NRL forwards and the mobility to trouble edge defenders.

Verdict: Brisbane <12. They'll get back on the wagon, I think.

Eels vs Sea Eagles

Match Up: Beau Scott vs Jake Trbojevic. Scott has long been considered one of the best defenders in the game, while Trbojevic is now considered the best 'chop 'em down' tackler in the game. We sleep on how important defensive players are so this will be an intriguing battle as two of the best go at it, plus there's some funk here as Scott has earned his reputation by defending out on the edge and Trbojevic is a specialist through the middle.

Key Man: Daly Cherry-Evans. Parramatta lack a dominant play-maker who can turn the game in their favour, while Manly have DCE who's form is brewing at the perfect time for the Sea Eagles. Having DCE as their 'Key Man' probably won't change over the next few weeks as he's that influential and against the Eels, expect him to test the desire of the Eels by pinning them deep in their own territory again and again.

Keep An Eye On: Matt Parcell could make a return after being named on an extended bench and if so, I'll be interested to see how the rotation with Apisai Koroisau works. Both are capable of starting and playing big minutes, while have either come off the bench is nothing less than an asset.

Verdict: Sea Eagles >12. Peep the power through the middle.

Knights vs Bulldogs

Match Up: Danny Levi vs Michael Lichaa. Two young hookers who are in vastly different situations with Levi spending much of the season playing behind a forward pack that is struggling to go forward, while Lichaa is rarely not moving forward. Who has the greater influence from dummy half will be interesting - if it's Levi, then chur to the kiwis.

Key Man: Jake Mamo is now getting the fullback spot for Newcastle and I've wanted this for much of the season, even Dane Gagai has done a great job there. Mamo is all energy and gives the Knights a spark, perhaps more importantly though it allows Gagai to slip in at centre. If Mamo is breaking tackles and can land a few passes in the bread-basket, Newcastle could have a sniff.

Keep An Eye On: Sparks will fly in the middle as I reckon the Knights forwards will be looking to prove a point, against a massive Bulldogs forward pack. Newcastle coach Nathan Brown would have his young forward pack up for this contest and they've got the size to trouble the Doggies forwards who won't take a backwards step themselves.

Verdict: Knights <12. Big ol' upset here, just got the vibe.

Sharks vs Raiders

Match Up: Michael Ennis vs Josh Hodgson. It'd be silly to look past this battle of two hookers who hold great influence over their team's performance. While both are crafty runners and will manipulate the defence by scooting sideways then passing, their kicking games are what will have me glued to the telly. Whether it's long kicks for territory or short kicks close to the try-line, these two can execute perfectly and it'll be a joy to watch.

Key Man: Jarrod Croker is going to have to do a job on Jack Bird and generally lead his left edge defensive effort against Cronulla's right edge which has been lethal all season. Croker can be a bit suspect defensively, but as skipper he'll take this job on with vigour.

Keep An Eye On: Iosia Soliola starts at lock and this will likely allow for Hodgson to slip back to lock when Adam Clydsdale comes on, with Soliola offering plenty of grunt through the middle in the opening stanza.

Verdict: Raiders <12. They've got the forward pack and the weapons to burst Cronulla's bubble.

Storm vs Rabbitohs

Match Up: Blake Green vs Greg Inglis. Both will operate down their team's left edge and this is an interesting stylistic match up as Green is all about executing his plays, distributing the footy to the right bloke at the right time. Inglis' game is more based around running the footy and using his size/speed combo to lure defenders in before passing or offloading.

Key Man: Jesse Bromwich. The Bunnies have struggled to handle opposition forward packs all season, getting rolled through the middle far too often and they come up against the best prop in the NRL. If Bromwich is in the mood, he'll make big metres and get the Storm rolling forward which is crucial when you've got Cameron Smith pulling the strings.

Keep An Eye On: Do the Bunnies have anything left or have they packed up for the season? 

Verdict: Storm <12. Zooming into the Finals.

Titans vs Warriors

Match Up: Zeb Taia vs Bodene Thompson. Taia has been a low key best for Gold Coast, offering strong carries and a splash of skill while Thompson's speed and footwork has troubled edge defenders all season. Will it be Taia's size or Thompson's mobility that wins this battle?

Key Man: Issac Luke hasn't been grabbing headlines, despite stringing consistently solid performances together for much of the season. Look for Luke to get the big Titans forwards making repeat efforts around the ruck and Luke will lead the charge through the middle before the Warriors hit the edges.

Keep An Eye On: Hayne Plane, it's lurking.

Verdict: Titans <12. Possibly game of the round, she'll be close.

Tigers vs Cowboys

Match Up: Mitchell Moses vs Michael Morgan. If you were wanting two examples of the modern No.6, take Moses and Morgan as perfect cases. Besides seeing two halves who love to run the footy while also possessing a wide range of skills go at it, they are also both without their usual halves partners, who are dominant halfbacks. This gives Moses and Morgan more opportunity to touch the footy and it'll be funky to see who is more influential.

Key Man: Matt Scott is a classic prop, however it's his ball-playing on top of his metres carting the footy up that will be key. Scott often gets in at first-receiver and starts the Cowboys' attacking moves, much of these duties fell to Jason Taumalolo last week and I reckon we'll see Scott step up big time in that regard.

Keep An Eye On: The Cowboys have flexed their depth muscles for much of the season and Javid Bowen is the best example of this. Bowen's played centre and wing, filling in where he's needed and the Cows have been able to absorb injuries/suspension easily. 

Verdict: Cowboys >12. Too strong through the middle.

Panthers vs Roosters

Match Up: Josh Mansour vs Latrell Mitchell. Mansour has been on fire recently, taking far too many carries for a winger and going hunting for opportunities through the middle of the field while Mitchell has settled on to the right wing with Blake Ferguson at fullback. Mitchell is a beast and it'll be his job to limit the effectiveness of Mansour out on the flank ... then it's up to the Roosters forwards to keep tabs on Mansour in the middle.

Key Man: Matt Moylan. I reckon Mansour is so busy through the middle because Moylan is playing more like a half, with Mansour picking up the fullback slack. Moylan offers the classy touches and he'll be crucial to testing the Roosters defence out on the edges as he's the link between Nathan Cleary/Bryce Cartwright and their outside men.

Keep An Eye On: Zak Hardaker is basically doing whatever the Panthers need him to do and last week he played some edge forward after doing a job at centre, wing and fullback previously. As long as he's on the bench, Penrith are prepared for any situation but how he's used when there's no injuries is where the intrigue is.

Verdict: Panthers <12. Desperado.