Magic Round brings with it a handful of matches sure to test the skill of NRL tipsters.
The impressive Raiders have their biggest test of 2019 when they face the Roosters on Sunday while fellow top-eight sides Melbourne and Parramatta meet in the second of the weekend's all top-eight affairs.
Then there are the teams capable of serving up anything.
Which of the Bulldogs or Knights will arrive ready to play for their Suncorp Stadium showdown? The same goes for the Wests Tigers - Penrith Panthers clash.
Then you have the weird - but not new - situation of the Broncos playing in Brisbane but being nominally the away team.
Before you enter your tips for round nine, see who the NRL.com experts are backing and read Brett Kimmorley's previews.
Round 9 tips and previews
Titans v Sharks, Thursday, 7.50pm, Suncorp Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: For the Sharks, it is about backing up an enormous win with all those kids last weekend. Whatever John Morris said to them, he needs a repeat dose. The only thing to worry about is not slipping into thinking this NRL business is easy. For the Titans, Ash Taylor and Tyrone Roberts are good enough players to be assisting their side to 20 points each weekend. Sharks by 6
Match: Titans v Sharks
Round 9 -
home Team
Titans
14th Position
away Team
Sharks
7th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Titans v Sharks - Magic Round
Wests Tigers v Panthers, Friday, 6pm, Suncorp Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: The Panthers keep on losing troops. The pressure now goes onto Nathan Cleary. He's the Origin half and needs to start standing up and forcing Freddie to pick him. Penrith beat themselves with penalties and errors last weekend. The Wests Tigers got an education from the best in round eight. I expect them to fight tooth and nail over the things that require no skill – line speed, kick-chase and energy. They can respond to that. Tigers by 4
Match: Wests Tigers v Panthers
Round 9 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
6th Position
away Team
Panthers
15th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wests Tigers v Panthers - Magic Round
Sea Eagles v Broncos, Friday, 8.05pm, Suncorp Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: Dessie has the Eagles flying – he is such a great defensive coach. Manly don't make many poor decisions or leak many poor defensive tries. Manly's big pack of forwards will want to take the more highly-talented Brisbane pack apart. Brisbane need to start winning – you can have all the talent in the world but if you aren't willing to fight tooth and nail you aren't going to win many games. Their season is nearly all over. Broncos by 2
Match: Sea Eagles v Broncos
Round 9 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
5th Position
away Team
Broncos
11th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sea Eagles v Broncos - Magic Round
Bulldogs v Knights, Saturday, 3pm, Suncorp Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: Mitchell Pearce has found some great form. He looks like he is relaxed. To me the Knights are playing a bit different – they are playing over the ad line. It's a really good blueprint. I like the style of football they are playing. The Bulldogs need to get more creative in attack. A lot of their skills comes from the forwards. They need to get more width and ask more questions in attack. Knights by 8
Match: Bulldogs v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Bulldogs
16th Position
away Team
Knights
9th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Bulldogs v Knights - Magic Round
Warriors v Dragons, Saturday, 5.30pm, Suncorp Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: With Corey Norman out, the Dragons will lose a lot in attack. Their forwards are good but Matt Dufty needs to remain strong in attack like he has been over the last couple of weeks. As for the Warriors, a likely new No.7 (Kodi Nikorima) might give them someone who can manage a game plan for them. I want to see Isaac Luke, Tohu Harris and the leaders in the forwards take control of the game. Dragons by 2
Match: Warriors v Dragons
Round 9 -
home Team
Warriors
12th Position
away Team
Dragons
10th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Warriors v Dragons - Magic Round
Storm v Eels, Saturday, 7.35pm, Suncorp Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: The Storm will have an unhappy preparation - their coach will be extremely intense this week. They will want energy, they will want aggression. They'll be up against a Parramatta side that play a very similar style. For the Eels, Gutherson and Moses have been the stars. Gutherson's ability to be able to pick when to run from dummy half has been so special, he just changes the game. Eels by 2
Match: Storm v Eels
Round 9 -
home Team
Storm
3rd Position
away Team
Eels
8th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Storm v Eels - Magic Round
Roosters v Raiders, Sunday, 2pm, Suncorp Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: Disappointing news with John Bateman being out. But Josh Hodgson is playing well, Jack Wighton is turning into a running, ball-playing five-eighth and they have tough forwards. I think they'll challenge the Roosters. Latrell Mitchell was unbelievable last weekend and Luke Keary can continue to put pressure on Brad Fittler to pick him for Origin. Roosters by 6
Match: Roosters v Raiders
Round 9 -
home Team
Roosters
1st Position
away Team
Raiders
4th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Roosters v Raiders - Magic Round
Rabbitohs v Cowboys, Sunday, 4.05pm, Suncorp Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: For the Cowboys, it might all depend on Jason Taumalolo. When he plays well the Cowboys have a good chance of winning. The rest of them are struggling a little bit. Jake Granville should be looking forward to the challenge of taking on Damien Cook. He's been a bit below par for 12-18 months now. For Souths, Cody Walker can keep pushing for an Origin spot so long as the incumbents keep going like they have been. South Sydney are the real deal. Rabbitohs by 12
Match: Rabbitohs v Cowboys
Round 9 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
2nd Position
away Team
Cowboys
13th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Rabbitohs v Cowboys - Magic Round
