The 2024 NRL season is tight, with plenty of players injured or in and out of form. As clubs start their runs home to the finals, tipping a perfect round is nearly impossible, so each week we'll give you some extra help with three standout games.
The sure thing
It would be very easy to go with either the Storm or the Panthers as this week's sure thing, but there is no skill in picking those two, the way they are currently playing. Instead I predict that the Sharks will bounce back from their defeat in Townsville to show the league that they are truly deserving of a Top 4 position.
The Sharks face a Rabbitohs team that looked completely disinterested last week against Canberra, even with their season on the line. Now that they are struggling to find even a mathematical chance of making the Top 8, they might as well head off early on their end-of-season trip.
The Sharks need to show their home fans that they are really serious about challenging for another premiership and a big win against the Rabbitohs this weekend would be a good starting point.
The round 22 sure thing is: Sharks
The toss of the coin
The Bulldogs ran rampant against the Broncos last week, but it was one of the few times this year that they have played with such freedom and adventure. They go into this game at Belmore as clear favourites, but their record at their spiritual home has not been that great lately. They will run out with a lot of confidence, but the Raiders are desperate to keep their season alive.
Canberra hosted the Rabbitohs last week and destroyed them by picking at weaknesses in their defensive line. The Bulldogs' defence will not be as easy to dismantle, but the Raiders do have attacking weapons across the park and a pack capable of out-muscling the smaller Bulldogs forwards.
I think the Bulldogs will win this one, but it really could go either way against a desperate Green Machine.
Toss of the coin game winner: Bulldogs
The roughie
Gold Coast Titans vs. Brisbane Broncos - Cbus Super Stadium - Saturday August 3, 3pm
The Titans were slow out of the blocks last week against the Dolphins, but a halftime ear-burner from coach Des Hasler saw them turn it around after the break. The resurgent Titans have won four of their last five games, and have a look about them when they truly knuckle down to the task.
The Broncos were humiliated at home last week, showing a real lack of resolve in the face of a fast-moving expansive running game from the Bulldogs. They have Adam Reynolds back at halfback, but he doesn't look to be fully fit and the contribution levels of fullback Reece Walsh are questionable at times, particularly in defence. Their season is slipping away as they sit two wins out of the Top 8 with a wall of teams ahead of them.
For some reason the punters are putting their trust in the Broncos toppling their Queensland "little brothers". I think Hasler's men can cause an upset at home.
Round 22 roughie: Titans
Click here for a full guide to Round 22 of the 2024 NRL season