With seven sevens rounds remaining before the finals it is time for tipsters to formulate a plan for the run home.
Are you clear at the top and plan to keep taking favourites in the hope they carry you to glory? Are you happy with your spot and just want to consolidate? Or, are you prepared to risk finishing last by staging an all-or-nothing bid for top spot in your competition?
While taking times like the Titans and Bulldogs this weekend represent the chance to make up ground should they spring major upsets is an option, the Storm-Sea Eagles and Panthers-Raiders matches look better bets for make up ground.
Before you enter your tips, see who the NRL.com experts and backing and read Brett Kimmorley's previews.
Round 19 tips and previews
Sharks v Cowboys, Thursday, 7.50pm at PointsBet Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: Cronulla desperately need to start winning again. That needs to come off the back of playing tough and gritty. The forwards need to do all the work. There is a short turnaround for them coming back from Wellington. For the Cowboys, Jake Clifford will be challenged to stay in the game for the full 80 minutes. I'm interested to see how he goes on Thursday night. Sharks by 2
Match: Sharks v Cowboys
Round 19 -
home Team
Sharks
10th Position
away Team
Cowboys
13th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Knights v Wests Tigers, Friday, 6pm at McDonald Jones Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: A massive night for the Mark Hughes Foundation. I'm looking forward to seeing Kalyn Ponga, he's had one game back and the calf looked fine. The cobwebs are out for him. Maybe there will be a response from the Tigers after their coach was brutal in his assessment of how weak they were. Expect a response from the Tigers but Newcastle probably have a few more points in them. Knights by 6
Match: Knights v Wests Tigers
Round 19 -
home Team
Knights
9th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
11th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Rabbitohs v Dragons, Friday, 7.55pm at ANZ Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: Ben Hunt will feel rested, and he needs to be the best on the ground this week for the Dragons. A lot of the attack needs to come from him. South Sydney have been really good for most of the year. With it now being post-Origin, I think we will see Damien Cook's running game will return to its best. I think he could run for over 200m this weekend. Rabbitohs by 8
Match: Rabbitohs v Dragons
Round 19 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
2nd Position
away Team
Dragons
14th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Eels v Warriors, Saturday, 3pm at Bankwest Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: The Eels were criticised by their coach for some poor tackling last weekend. I expect them to be a lot better and tackle a lot better for the 80 minutes. They did respond in the second half against Manly. Mitchell Moses's game has gone to a more consistent level. I think last week's drop in form was a one-off. Eels by 2
Match: Eels v Warriors
Round 19 -
home Team
Eels
6th Position
away Team
Warriors
12th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Beanies for brain cancer round is back
Titans v Broncos, Saturday, 5.30pm at Cbus Super Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: It's normally the second week where we get a victory from a new coach. The Titans jumped out of the blocks last week but when it got hard they lost a bit. The Brisbane forward pack is flying – big, strong and powerful. Skipper Darius Boyd has come up with some good touches over the past few weeks. I expect that to continue. Broncos by 12
Match: Titans v Broncos
Round 19 -
home Team
Titans
16th Position
away Team
Broncos
8th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Storm v Sea Eagles, Saturday, 7.35pm at AAMI Park
Brett Kimmorley says: There have been some brutal battles between these sides over the last few years. I'm looking forward to the forward battle. Martin Taupau and Addin Fonua-Blake are probably the best front-row combination going around at the moment but I expect Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona might want to make a statement in this game. Storm by 1
Match: Storm v Sea Eagles
Round 19 -
home Team
Storm
1st Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
5th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Twelve Nations: One Pride
Bulldogs v Roosters, Sunday, 2pm at ANZ Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: The Roosters flexed their muscles last weekend. The really good teams grind away for 50-60 minutes and then the points flow in the last 20. I expect the Dogs to be defensively good again, but they just don't have the attacking game to match it. They've only got to 20 on four occasions. The only concern for the Roosters is who plays dummy half with Jake Friend out. Roosters by 14
Match: Bulldogs v Roosters
Round 19 -
home Team
Bulldogs
15th Position
away Team
Roosters
3rd Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Panthers v Raiders, Sunday, 4.05pm at Panthers Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: I can't wait for this game. Penrith look happy and they've got a great roster. This will be a really good test for their toughness considering the way Canberra play. I thought Josh Papalii coming off the bench was a really big boost for them – they can have lulls in that middle part of the game. The battle of the halves is going to be great. Raiders by 2
Match: Panthers v Raiders
Round 19 -
home Team
Panthers
7th Position
away Team
Raiders
4th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
