The NRL moves into Indigenous Round this weekend, with jerseys designed to honour the people of the areas encompassed by each club. After a couple of upsets last round, we have a few games this week which will take some picking.
How improved are the Roosters-beating Broncos? Probably not enough to trouble the Storm. After losses to both teams will the Rabbitohs or Eels bounce back best this week? And do the Raiders have anything left in the tank to trouble the battered Roosters?
Good luck with your tips.
Jump ahead to a particular game.
Broncos vs. Storm
Cowboys vs. Warriors
Tigers vs. Dragons
Panthers vs. Bulldogs
Rabbitohs vs. Eels
Roosters vs. Raiders
Sharks vs. Titans
Knights vs. Sea Eagles
Thursday, May 27
Brisbane Broncos vs Melbourne Storm, Suncorp Stadium, 7:50pm (AEST)
Broncos: 1. Jamayne Isaako 2. Xavier Coates 3. Herbie Farnworth 4. Jesse Arthars 5. David Mead 6. Anthony Milford 7. Albert Kelly 8. Rhys Kennedy 9. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Keenan Palasia 12. Tevita Pangai Junior 13. Thomas Flegler Bench: 14. Kobe Hetherington 15. John Asiata 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Tc Robati Reserves: 18. Dale Copley 19. Selwyn Cobbo 20. Richard Kennar 21. Cory Paix
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Storm: 1. Nicholas Hynes 2. George Jennings 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Chris Lewis 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Tom Eisenhuth 13. Dale Finucane Bench: 14. Aaron Booth 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Trent Loiero 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona Reserves: 18. Dean Ieremia 19. Isaac Lumelume 20. Aaron Pene 21. Cooper Johns
Verdict: The Broncos continued to improve, shocking everyone with a big win over the Roosters last week. The Storm continued on their way, comfortably taking care of the Raiders despite missing several key players. This clash promises to bring the Broncos back to earth. When they met in Round 4, the Storm won 40-6. This should be closer, with the Broncos in the fight early, but once the Storm gets on top it will be all over.
Tip: Storm by 18
TAB odds: Broncos $7 (+19.5 $1.90) Storm $1.09 (-19.5 $1.90)
Friday, May 28
North Queensland Cowboys vs. New Zealand Warriors, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 6:00pm (AEST)
Cowboys: 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Javid Bowen 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Jake Clifford 8. Tom Gilbert 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Shane Wright 12. Mitchell Dunn 13. Coen Hess Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Peter Hola 16. Corey Jensen 17. Heilum Luki Reserves: 18. Justin O'Neill 19. Ben Condon 20. Daejarn Asi 21. Emry Pere
Warriors: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Marcelo Montoya 3. Adam Pompey 4. Euan Aitken 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Wayde Egan 10. Kane Evans 11. Jack Murchie 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Tohu Harris Bench: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Leeson Ah Mau 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila Reserves: Taniela Otukolo 20. Rocco Berry 21. Sean O'Sullivan 22. Jackson Frei
Verdict: The Cowboys looked good in beating the ordinary Knights last week, while the Warriors managed to pip the Tigers in a tight tussle. The Warriors are annoyingly inconsistent, but young fullback Reece Walsh is exciting to watch and his exploits lift those around him. In a toss of a coin tip, I'm going with the Warriors.
Tip: Warriors by 4
TAB odds: Cowboys $2.05 (+1.5 $1.95) Warriors $1.77 (-1.5 $1.85)
Wests Tigers vs St George Illawarra Dragons, Bankwest Stadium, 7:55pm (AEST)
Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Tommy Talau 5. James Roberts 6. Moses Mbye 7. Luke Brooks 8. James Tamou 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Alex Twal 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Joe Ofahengaue. Bench: 14. Tom Amone 15. Shawn Blore 16. Alex Seyfarth 17. Thomas Mikaele Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Jake Simpkin 20. Stefano Utoikamanu 21. Kiah Cooper
Dragons: 1. Cody Ramsey 2. Brayden Wiliame 3. Jack Bird 4. Gerard Beale 5. Jordan Pereira 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Billy Burns 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jackson Ford Bench: 14. Talatau Amone 15. Poasa Faamausili 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Jaiyden Hunt Reserves: 18. Kaide Ellis 19. Adam Clune 20. Jayden Sullivan 21. Billy Brittain
Verdict: The Tigers out on an improved display but couldn't finish the job against the Warriors last week. The Dragons were absolutely awful and really should have beaten the Sharks at Kogarah. These two teams can be so awful, it makes this very tough to pick. With the Dragons down on numbers and Moses Mbye hoping to impress a possible future employer, I'm going with the Tigers.
Tip: Tigers by 8
TAB odds: Tigers $1.48 (-6.5 $1.95) Dragons $2.60 (+6.5 $1.85)
Saturday, May 29
Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Penrith Panthers, BlueBet Stadium, 3:00pm (AEST)
Bulldogs: 1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Nick Cotric 3. Will Hopoate 4. Aaron Schoupp 5. Nick Meaney 6. Brandon Wakeham 7. Jake Averillo 8. Jack Hetherington 9. Jackson Topine 10. Luke Thompson 11. Adam Elliott 12. Matt Doorey 13. Josh Jackson Bench: 14. Bradley Deitz 15. Joe Stimson 16. Dylan Napa 17. Ava Seumanufagai Reserves: 19. Kyle Flanagan 20. Corey Waddell 21. Tuipulotu Katoa 22. Renouf Atoni
Panthers: 1. Stephen Crichton 2. Charlie Staines 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Matt Burton 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo Bench: 14. Tyrone May 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Spencer Leniu Reserves: 18. Mitch Kenny 19. Robert Jennings 20. Lindsay Smith 21. Izack Tago
Verdict: The Bulldogs did better than expected by most last week against the hot and cold Titans, while the Storm were too good for the dismal Raiders. When these two met in Round 5, the Bulldogs broke a scoring drought, managing 18 points, unfortunately for them the Storm piled on 52. This promises to be ugly again, but maybe not that ugly.
Tip: Panthers by 26
TAB odds: Panthers $1.01 (-33.5 $1.85) Bulldogs $21.00 (+33.5 $1.95)
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Parramata Eels, Stadium Australia, 5:30pm (AEST)
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dane Gagai 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Jai Arrow 9. Damien Cook 10. Junior Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jacob Host 13. Cameron Murray Bench: 14. Benji Marshall 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Hame Sele 17. Thomas Burgess Reserves: 18. Liam Knight 19. Jaydn Su'A 20. Patrick Mago 21. Braidon Burns
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Tom Opacic 4. Waqa Blake 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Oregon Kaufusi 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. Ryan Matterson 13. Nathan Brown Bench: 14. Marata Niukore 15. Shaun Lane 16. Joey Lussick 17. Bryce Cartwright Reserves: 18. Haze Dunster 19. Makahesi Makatoa 20. Viliami Penisini 21. Jordan Rankin
Verdict: The Rabbitohs were embarrassed last week by the Panthers in Dubbo, while the Eels also suffered a loss at the hands of the fired-up Sea Eagles. Both teams will be desperate to bounce back and prove that they are real contenders. This should make for a great game, with the bounce of the ball or the referee's call deciding a victor. If Latrell Mitchell is better for his run last week, he might be the difference, he certainly has to improve if he wants to run out for New South Wales on June 9.
Tip: Rabbitohs by 8
TAB odds: Rabbitohs $1.70 (-2.5 $1.90) Eels $2.15 (+2.5 $1.90)
Sydney Roosters vs. Canberra Raiders, Central Coast Stadium, 7:35pm (AEST)
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Matt Ikuvalu 6. Lachlan Lam 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Ben Marschke 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Isaac Liu Bench: 14. Adam Keighran 15. Nat Butcher 16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 17. Fletcher Baker Reserves: 18. Tukupa Hau Tapuha 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Egan Butcher 21. Joseph Suaalii
Raiders: 1. Caleb Aekins 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Sebastian Kris 4. Curtis Scott 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Sam Williams 8. Dunamis Lui 9. Tom Starling 10. Emre Guler 11. Corey Harawira-Naera 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Ryan Sutton Bench: 14. Josh Hodgson 15. Iosia Soliola 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Ryan James Reserves: 18. Elijah Anderson 19. Harry Rushton 20. Brad Schneider 21. Hudson Young
Verdict: The disappointing Raiders had no answers for the Storm last week, as they slumped further down the ladder, while the Roosters were ambushed by the Broncos at the SCG. The Roosters won't be prepared to lose two in a row and should come at the Raiders with all they have.
Tip: Roosters by 18
TAB odds: Roosters $1.27 (-11.5 $1.90) Raiders $3.70 (+11.5 $1.90)
Sunday, May 30
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks vs. Gold Coast Titans, Coffs International Stadium, 2:00pm (AEST)
Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Connor Tracey 3. Will Chambers 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Toby Rudolf Bench: 14. Braydon Trindall 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Jack Williams 17. Andrew Fifita Reserves: 18. Chad Townsend 19. Billy Magoulias 20. Franklin Pele 21. Jenson Taumoepeau
Titans: 1. Alexander Brimson 2. Anthony Don 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Phillip Sami 6. Tanah Boyd 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 11. Kevin Proctor 12. David Fifita 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui Bench: 14. Erin Clark 15. Beau Fermor 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Sam McIntyre Reserves:18. Esan Marsters 19. Jai Whitbread 20. Jayden Campbell 21. Ashley Taylor
Verdict: The Sharks were very lucky to come away with the points last weekend against an inept Dragons team. The Titans likewise looked ordinary in patches as they struggled to beat the lowly Bulldogs. Which of these teams can string together 80 full minutes of footy? If the Titans are at their best they will easily take care of the Sharks, but you never know what you will get from the Gold Coast team.
Tip: Titans by 10
TAB odds: Sharks $2.30 (+3.5 $1.95) Titans $1.62 (-3.5 $1.85)
Newcastle Knights vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, McDonald Jones Stadium, 4:05pm (AEDT)
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Starford To'a 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 5. Brayden Musgrove 6. Kurt Mann 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Mitchell Barnett Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Sauaso Sue 17. Brodie Jones Reserves: 18. Tex Hoy 19. Josh King 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Jack Johns
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Morgan Harper 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Josh Schuster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Karl Lawton 12. Sean Keppie 13. Jake Trbojevic Bench: 14. Curtis Sironen 15. Moses Suli 16. Zac Saddler 17. Toafofoa Sipley Reserves: 18. Ben Trbojevic 19. Tevita Funa 20. Christian Tuipulotu 21. Jorge Taufua
Verdict: These two teams are heading in opposite directions with the Sea Eagles improving every week, while the Knights seemingly get worse. The Knights were beaten by the Cowboys last week, while the Sea Eagles accounted for the Eels. This game will be hyped around their 1997 Grand Final classic, but the game has changed so much since those days. These days Paul Harragon and Mark Carroll would spend most of the game in the sin bin for forceful contact.
Tip: Sea Eagles by 22
TAB odds: Knights $3.80 (+12.5 $1.85) Sea Eagles $1.25 (-12.5 $1.95)
All odds correct at time of publication. Check tab.com.au for the latest.