A pair of matches worthy of grand finals will provide a tough finish to Round 21 for NRL tipsters.
Following a host of lopsided scores last weekend, this round appears to have more close finishes in store.
While both the Cowboys and Broncos are enduring unhappy seasons, there is no reason those clubs won't produce another in a long line of thrilling finishes when they meet on Thursday night.
On Saturday, the match between the Dragons and Titans is hard to choose a winner in due to the disappointing form being shown by both sides in recent weeks.
Most of the weekend's attention will be on Sunday with the 2pm clash between the Raiders and Roosters in Canberra to be followed by a showdown between the Rabbitohs and Storm in Gosford.
Before you enter your tips, see who the NRL.com experts are backing and read Brett Kimmorley's match previews.
Round 21 - tips and previews
Cowboys v Broncos, Thursday, 7.50pm at 1300Smiles Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: Brisbane need to respond after that bad performance against Melbourne as they are still in semi-final calculations. Their senior players need to stand up. Darius Boyd has been challenged this year and I think he has responded pretty well. For the Cowboys, they have nothing to fear but they have lost confidence. When they make one mistake the wheels seem to fall off. Broncos by 6
Match: Cowboys v Broncos
Round 21 -
home Team
Cowboys
13th Position
away Team
Broncos
8th Position
Venue: 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville
Warriors v Sea Eagles, Friday, 6pm at Mt Smart Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: The Warriors need to show some pride playing at their home venue. Manly are flying, they are proving themselves genuine contenders. Des has got all of those previously unknown players playing great. That takes the pressure off Jake, Tom and Daly. Tommy Trbojevic was quiet last week – but it didn't matter. Another win for Manly here. Sea Eagles by 16
Match: Warriors v Sea Eagles
Round 21 -
home Team
Warriors
11th Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
5th Position
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Panthers v Sharks, Friday, 7.55pm at Panthers Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: This is a big one for the finals aspirations of both teams. Penrith were a little disappointing last week and will be without James Maloney. He would love to get a victory over his former club, just like Wade Graham and Matt Moylan want to do against Penrith. Wade was unbelievable last week as a leader and also with his toughness and skill out wide. Sharks by 2
Match: Panthers v Sharks
Round 21 -
home Team
Panthers
7th Position
away Team
Sharks
9th Position
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith
Dragons v Titans, Saturday, 3pm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: Both teams need to show something looking towards 2020. The entire coaching staff of both clubs are probably coaching for their futures, just as the players are. Gareth Widdop has been a good servant to the Dragons and they will be looking to send him off well. In saying that, I can't find any reason as to why either side will play well. Dragons by 2
Match: Dragons v Titans
Round 21 -
home Team
Dragons
14th Position
away Team
Titans
16th Position
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Graham's return makes Sharks a title contender
Eels v Knights, Saturday, 5.30pm at Bankwest Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: Parramatta looked a bit flat last week but were still good enough to win thanks to Mitchell Moses' game management and kicking game. They just seem to find a lot more energy when they are playing at Bankwest. Newcastle do not want to let their season slide away. I'm curious to see how Nathan Brown tries to get a response from his team this week after dropping three players last week. Where will it come from this week? Eels by 8
Match: Eels v Knights
Round 21 -
home Team
Eels
6th Position
away Team
Knights
12th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs v Wests Tigers, Saturday, 7.35pm at ANZ Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: This should be a close game. Canterbury can defend well and the arrival of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has provided a real boost for their attack. They still aren't scoring a lot of points but are at times grinding out wins. The Wests Tigers are also a grinding outfit. It will be a nice, big, arm wrestle, this one. The Tigers don't have a big milestone to play for this week. Wests Tigers by 1
Match: Bulldogs v Wests Tigers
Round 21 -
home Team
Bulldogs
15th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Raiders v Roosters, Sunday, 2pm at GIO Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: The Raiders have a chance here to make an even bigger statement than they made against the Panthers a couple of weeks back. This is a big test for them. I look forward to seeing how tough the Raiders can play against a side like the Roosters who are very physical and don't miss many tackles. It is a great chance to sit there and see just how exciting the finals could be. Josh Hodgson is the key for Canberra and Luke Keary the key for the Roosters. Roosters by 2
Match: Raiders v Roosters
Round 21 -
home Team
Raiders
3rd Position
away Team
Roosters
2nd Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Rabbitohs v Storm, Sunday, 4.05pm at Central Coast Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: Sam Burgess is playing and that will help the Rabbitohs. Guys like Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds need to get back to the form they showed at the start of the year. Melbourne will give you nothing, they will be really tough and in your face. It will be a good arm wrestle for a period of time but in the last few weeks, Melbourne have just broken sides at the end of game when teams just haven't been able to go with them. I expect the same thing to happen on Sunday. Storm by 10
Match: Rabbitohs v Storm
Round 21 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
4th Position
away Team
Storm
1st Position
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
