The 2024 NRL season is tight, with plenty of players injured or in and out of form, as clubs look to make their runs through the Origin period, tipping eight winners each weekend is nearly impossible, so each week we'll give you some extra help with three standout games.
The sure thing
Brisbane Broncos vs. Gold Coast Titans, Suncorp Stadium, Sunday May 26, 2pm (AEST)
The Broncos had a tough victory over the Sea Eagles last week, but have star fullback Reece Walsh returning this week to take on the Titans.
The Titans were unlucky against the Knights, but the Broncos are a class above Newcastle. This should be an interesting game, with the Titans giving the Broncos a run for their money, but ultimately succumbing.
Round 12 sure thing: Broncos
The toss of the coin
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks vs. Penrith Panthers, PointsBet Stadium, Saturday May 25, 5:30pm (AEST)
Last week I though the Sharks' magic run would come to an end at the hands of the Roosters, in a game that was truly a toss of the coin. They showed great resilience to climb into the trenches with the Roosters and emerge victorious.
The Panthers are not the same without Nathan Cleary, that is pretty obvious, but they have looked off their game elsewhere in the last two weeks. They really struggled at times to deal with the Bulldogs two weeks ago and on the weekend they raced to an early lead, but then struggled to put the Warriors away. Errors have crept in, frustrations have grown, Isaah Yeo was even sent to the sin bin for the first time in nine years.
The Panthers should be fired up to deal with the current number one threat to their throne. This is their opportunity to end all talk of a Sharks premiership run.
Can I continue to doubt the validity of the Sharks ladder-topping position? You bet I can.
Toss of the coin game winner: Panthers
The roughie
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Parramatta Eels, Accor Stadium, Saturday May 25, 7:35pm (AEST)
The Rabbitohs were looking much better last week, until they ran out of steam and gifts from the Cowboys. They have finally confirmed Wayne Bennett as their next coach and there are a few players who really need to think about who is watching their performances. They had their coach sacked, they must realise that the next ones to go are the underperforming players.
The Eels dropped their own coaching bombshell this week, sacking Brad Arthur effective immediately. Trent Barrett, who never really achieved much success in a couple of stints as head coach, takes over as interim coach. Will the change be enough to spark the Eels? Mitchell Moses won't be back this week either and the Eels look completely lost without him and the inspirational leadership of Clint Gutherson.
Which team will be most improved following the coaching announcements? The Eels are favourites with PointsBet, but I think the Bunnies might have a surprise in store for them.
Round 12 roughie: Rabbitohs
Click here for a full guide to Round 12 of the 2024 NRL season