Saturday, August 30
Canberra Raiders vs. Wests Tigers
GIO Stadium, 3pm (AEST)
Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jed Stuart 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh Bench: 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota Reserves: 18. Noah Martin 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Danny Levi 21. Trey Mooney 22. Ethan Sanders
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Taylan May 4. Starford To'a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Twal Bench: 14. Heath Mason 15. Royce Hunt 16. Charlie Murray 17. Tony Sukkar Reserves: 18. Heamasi Makasini 19. Kit Laulilii 20. Krystian Mapapalangi 21. Tristan Hope 22. Brent Naden
Officials
Referee: Jarrod Cole Touchies: Kasey Badger, Nick Pelgrave Bunker: Grant Atkins
Prediction: The Raiders really looked the premiership goods the way they fought back to defeat the Panthers last week. The Tigers blew a perfect opportunity to press for a Top 8 spot when they blew a winning lead against the Cowboys at Leichhardt. As much as many fans would like to see the Tigers continue their faint hopes of playing finals football, the Raiders should put them out of their misery this weekend.
Tip: Raiders by 18
PointsBet odds: Raiders $1.22 (-12.5 $1.90) Tigers $4.25 (+12.5 $1.90)
St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 5:30pm (AEST)
Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Christian Tuipulotu 3. Hayden Buchanan 4. Mathew Feagai 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Jacob Halangahu 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin Bench: 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Hame Sele 17. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga Reserves: 18. Ben Murdoch-Masila 19. Corey Allan 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Nathan Lawson 22. Blake Lawrie
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tommy Talau 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga Bench: 14. Aaron Schoupp 15. Caleb Navale 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley Reserves: 18. Joey Walsh 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Michael Chee Kam 21. Simione Laiafi 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
Officials
Referee: Adam Gee Touchies: Jon Stone, Daniel Luttringer Bunker: Liam Kennedy
Prediction: The Dragons were absolutely diabolical last week against the Rabbitohs with their season on the line, while the Sea Eagles found some form against the Dolphins under similar circumstances. To make life tough for tippers the Dragons are just as likely to bounce back at home and knock over the very inconsistent Sea Eagles. Good luck to you if you tip that and it proves to be correct.
Tip: Sea Eagles by 12
PointsBet odds: Dragons $1.95 (+0.5 $1.90) Sea Eagles $1.85 (-0.5 $1.90)
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Brisbane Broncos
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 7:45pm (AEST)
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Semi Valemei 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Braidon Burns 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter Bench: 14. Zac Laybutt 15. Karl Lawton 16. Harrison Edwards 17. Thomas Mikaele Reserves: 18. Kai O'Donnell 19. Marly Bitungane 20. Nicholas Lenaz 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Kaiden Lahrs
Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Billy Walters 7. Ben Hunt 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan Bench: 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Ben Talty 17. Brendan Piakura Reserves: 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Delouise Hoeter 21. Jock Madden 22. Adam Reynolds
Officials
Referee: Ashley Klein Touchies: Chris Sutton, Drew Oultram Bunker: Chris Butler
Prediction: The Cowboys showed some signs of life last week to beat the Tigers, while the Broncos were simply ruthless against the Knights. With a final round bye, this game marks the last of the season for the disappointing Cowboys and they would like nothing more than to reward their adoring fans with a farewell victory over the No. 1 enemy Broncos.
Tip: Brocnos by 14
PointsBet odds: Cowboys $2.75 (+6.5 $1.90) Broncos $1.45 (-6.5 $1.90)
Sunday, August 31
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks vs. Newcastle Knights
Sharks Stadium, 2pm (AEST)
Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Mawene Hiroti 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun Bench: 14. Hohepa Puru 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Thomas Hazelton 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jayden Berrell
Knights: 1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. James Schiller 4. Bradman Best 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Jakob Arthur 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell Bench: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Thomas Cant 17. Elijah Leaumoana Reserves: 18. Greg Marzhew 21. Connor Votano
Officials
Referee: Gerard Sutton Touchies: David Munro, Damian Brady Bunker: Adam Gee
Prediction: The Sharks enjoyed the bye last weekend, while the Knights were being hammered by the Broncos. The Sharks need to start their run towards the finals with a convincing win here, as they face the Bulldogs next week, and can still squeeze their way into the Top 4 if results fall their way. The season is all over for the Knights as they showed the world last week.
Tip: Sharks by 26
PointsBet odds: Sharks $1.13 (-17.5 $1.90) Knights $6 (+17.5 $1.90)
Dolphins vs. Gold Coast Titans
Suncorp Stadium, 4:05pm (AEST)
Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe Bench: 14. Aublix Tawha 15. Ray Stone 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr Reserves: 20. James Walsh 19. LJ Nonu
Titans: 1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 22. Tony Francis 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui Bench: 14. Keano Kini 15. Klese Haas 16. Iszac Fa'asumaleaui 17. Josh Patston Reserves: 20. Cooper Bai 21. Carter Gordon
Officials
Referee: Grant Atkins Touchies: Liam Kennedy, Michael Wise Bunker: Chris Butler
Prediction: The Dolphins have fallen apart lately, losing convincingly last week to the Sea Eagles, as their finals dreams fade. It was just another loss for the Titans last week against the Warriors, but one which finished off Des Hasler's tenure at the club. Hasler will coach out the remainder of the year and it remains to be seen whether the players will lift now that they know they have cost him his job.
Tip: Dolphins by 12
PointsBet odds: Dolphins $1.52 (-5.5 $1.90) Titans $2.55 (+5.5 $1.90)
BYE:
Rabbitohs
All odds correct at time of publication. Check pointsbet.com.au for the latest.