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Here we are folks! The final regular competition round. My tipping hasn't been crash hot this year. Every year I say to myself "Tip using your head!" but my heart leads me astray. I'm going to ignore the fracas from Friday. Plenty has been said elsewhere. I'm more interested in highlighting Billy Slater's wonderful sportsmanship from that game or Benji's masterful display against the Titans. The great thing about the comp this year is that going into the final round is most positions for the top eight are up for grabs. If the Storm lose to the Roosters and Manly beats the Broncos by a large margin, the Sea Eagles could pip Melbourne for the minor premiership. Regardless of results, the Broncos will finish in third place. The Warriors v Cowboys game is a huge game. The winner could snare a top four sport. But that depends on the Dragons game against the Panthers on Friday night. If the Dragons finish on 33 points then only the Tigers and Cowboys can climb above them for fourth spot. The Newcastle v Souths games on Friday night will decide almost eight spot. yet if the Rabbitohs just scrape home and the Bulldogs thrash Canberra then they will climb over the Bunnies and Knights and take eight spot. And at the other end of the table, if the Eels beat the Titans then the spoon will end up with either the Gold Coast or Canberra on points differential. What a glorious three days of footy we have ahead. Knights v Rabbitohs, Friday 7:45pm, Tinkler's Castle I expect both teams to have nothing left at the end of this game. If Inglis was available then I'd tip the Bun buns for sure but his absence leaves a big hole. Without him this game becomes a whole lot closer. I'm staying with Souths just so their win will set up the Bulldogs to come out firing against the Raiders. Dragons v Panthers, Friday 7:30pm, WIN Stadium The Dragons will be pumped up for a big effort to get their campaign back on track. A loss won't put them out of finals contention but would effectively kill their premiership hopes. I have no idea what mindset the Panthers will have for this game. I expect a free flowing attack from them in the final game. This could be interesting if the Panthers turn up in a mood to play. Warriors v Cowboys, Saturday 5:30pm, Mt Smart Stadium The winner will avoid finishing in seventh spot or worse. This will be a game for the ages however the Warriors will have the goods at home. Titans v Eels, Skilled Park, Saturday 7:30pm The last fling for Presto, a player who has left the game better for his participation. To me that is the highest accolade one can give a retiring player. And while sentiment will be with him that is not enough for me. For the last time in 2011, go the Eels! Sharks v Tigers, Saturday 7:30pm, Toyota Park The Sharks will be up for Paul Gallen's 200th game. They could trouble the Tigers early on but as the game grows so will Benji. Bulldogs v Raiders, Sunday 2:00pm, ANZ Stadium And we farewell Andrew Ryan (possibly as he still may get a final chance at finals footy) and Alan Tongue. Two great servants of the game. But if Souths win then the question will be the Bulldogs by how much? Broncos v Sea Eagles, Sunday 3:00pm, Suncorp Stadium Lockyer isn't riding off into the sunset just quite yet but his time is almost done. This week will have taken a lot out of the Sea Eagles. The Bronocs will be primed to give a favoured son a memorable last regular season game. Roosters v Storm, Sunday 7:00pm, SFS I'd say the Storm will play this game on autopilot but that will be too much for the Roosters. The Sure Thing: The Bulldogs The Roughy: The Tigers

The second last round already? This season has really flown by even if following the beloved Eels has seemed like a special hell this year. Already some are saying that the grand finalists have already been decided with the Storm and Sea Eagles to meet again for a third time in the grand final. I say balderdash! I believe that it will be revealed this week that 14 of the 16 sides have suffered serious salary cap breaches. They will lose all their points and by default the Eels and the Sharks will make the grand final. One can dream. Onto this week's shenanigans. Eels v Roosters, Friday 7:45pm, Parramatta Stadium Oh god please. I've had enough pain the past three months. Just fucking win. Sea Eagles v Storm, Friday 7:45pm, Brookvale Oval I'm not convinced that this is a grand final preview as funny things can happen in September. But it promises to be one hell of a game. Not content with running fake crosses on their news, Nine has decided that the game is not worthy to show live into Melbourne. The NRL should start standing up to Nine in regards to the TV rights. Their arrogance when it comes to broadcasting the NRL is sickening. Bulldogs v Knights, Saturday 5:30pm, ANZ Stadium The Knights v Broncos game on Monday was one of the most physical games I've seen in a while. So I'm wondering how the Knights are going to pull up. A lot rides on this game as the winner keeps their finals hopes alive. The loser still has a chance but it will be a hard slog. I'm not that convinced by the Doggies and my tip is without confidence. It just depends on how the Knights recover. Cowboys v Sharks, Saturday 7:30pm, Dairy Farmers Stadium Just the opposition JT needs to play himself back into form after his knee injury. Raiders v Panthers, Saturday 7:30pm, Canberra Stadium A Raiders win means they avoid the spoon. And being Alan Tongue's last home game there may be some inspiration to lift. But then again, the Raiders have been ordinary. I'm tipping the Panthers simply I can't contemplate a Raiders win for the obvious reason. Dragons v Warriors, Sunday 2:00pm, WIN Stadium The first of two great games on Sunday. The Dragons stood up to the Storm last week but just didn't have it all happening to get on top. The Warriors had their moments against the Panthers but nodded off here and there. All in all, this promises to be a great game. The Dragons must win if they hope to avoid finishing in 7th or even 8th place. A Warriors win will see them almost gaining a certain top four finish. I'm finding it hard to pick a winner but the Warriors have the form and the game to rattle the shaky Dragons. Broncos v Bunnies, Sunday 3:00pm, Suncorp Stadium If you are off your game the Bunnies will hammer you. If you are on your game, you can't go the sleep as the Bunnies will find a way to get home. The Broncos played a very physical game last week and, like the Knights, may find it a bit tough. With Hodges out for Brisbane and Inglis back in Souths, the Rabbits can keep their miracle run going. Tigers v Titans, Monday 7:00pm, Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Surely not. The Sure Thing: The Tigers. The Roughy: The Knights

Over the fold is a video from round 23 the cracks open a scandalous play in the Sharks v Doggies game. It is a revealing tackle where a Sharks player is taken from behind in a cheeky manoeuvre. But I really question whether Idris was back on side in all of this. Maybe this bodes well for Gardner's playing future as there is one veteran player who is not afraid of the rear view. Sorry for the bum steer. Now for the tips. Bunbuns v Cowboys, Friday 7:45pm, Parramatta Stadium 2009 it was Parra. 2010, Canberra. Are the Bunnies the fairytale for 2011? This game will give us how Souths are really going after mauling the Eels and the Raiders (a coincidink?). Sandow has established himself as one of the form halfbacks of the comp so his clash with Thurston should be a beauty. I do have a soft spot for Souths but as well as the Cowboys have played at time this season, the steamrolling play of Inglis and Taylor will keep the Souths streak going. Storm v Dragons, Friday 7:45pm, AAMI Stadium As much as some fans still cry "cheats!" at the Storm, the foundation of their success wasn't really rorting the salary cap. Bellamy has built a great structure at Melbourne and it has shown this season. On the other hand, the structure at the Dragons seems to be falling down. But as I oft say, you can't right St Benny off. The Storm to win but the Dragons will fight this one. Titans v Raiders, Saturday 5:30pm, Skilled Stadium A game of importance at the other end of the table. If the Titans win then they may consign the spoon to the Raiders or the Eels. If the Raiders win then Gold Coast and Parra to fight it out. Alan Tongue's retirement may give the Raiders a bit of kick to go out fighting. Hard to pick either side really given their form but why not the Titans? Panthers v Warriors, Saturday 7:30pm, Two Up Terraces An interesting game. Penrith at home with nothing lose will test the Warriors. If the Warriors are fair dinkum about playing finals footy they will win this game. Tipping them but I do have my doubts. Roosters v Sharks, Saturday 7:30pm, SFS The Roosters pulled off a good win last week. If it was against most other teams in the comp, two in a row would be expecting a bit too much. The Sharks aren't out of this game but I don't really see them winning. Sea Beagles v Bulldogs, Sunday 2:00pm, Brookvale Oval The Bulldogs still have a faint hope of playing finals footy but they were far from convincing last week. The Eagles also played it tough but they took their chances. That will be the difference between the two teams. Tigers v Eels, Sunday 3:00pm, SFS Desperation drives you to err desperation. In an effort to break the Eels losing streak I'm actually going to this game with Bismark and Pixie O'Measles. Note that the Tigers' winning streak started after the loss the the Eels. Of course since then the Eels have been a cursed side. Can my presence break the hoodoo? We'll find about about 4:20pm Sunday. Knights v Broncos, Monday 7:00pm, Tinklerville The Knights' season hinges on this game. But Brisbane will not be going into this game half hearted either. They want a top four finish. I'm finding it hard to split the two sides. Taking the Broncos but a Knights win would not surprise me. They like it tough. The Sure Thing: Sea Eagles The Roughy: Penrith or the Knights.

Hmmm. The London riots and the Bunnies' riot against the Eels. A coincidence? To pose such a conjecture would be no sillier than the two main stories in footy at the moment. The first is Todd Carney, who is now on his 58th last chance, getting caught out again. While Carney had done nothing illegal, that is not the issue. There is the ethical question of violating his contract and also whether he is a team player. The Roosters' players had been trying to circle the wagons and find meaning in the the last few games of the season. This incident may destroy any harmony the team had. The other is the so called Doodlegate. Never mind the moronic, cliched title for this storm in a tea cup. The whole spat is simply The Daily Telecrap indulging in one of the their favourite past times, Gould baiting. To his discredit, Gus rose to the bait and swallowed it hole. What should of been a nothing story (and Gould should have sorted this out with Gallop behind the scenes in a professional manner) gets gleefully played by the child journalists who write for News Limited but unfortunately Fairfax has to dive in as well. No one comes out of this, apart from Gallop, with any integrity. An integrity is what round 23 is all about for the teams with nothing to play for. Tipward ho! Cowboys v Broncos, Friday 7:45pm, Dairy Farmers Stadium The word is this game is a sell out. Lockyer's record breaking 350th game. JT's return. This all points to a spectacular clash. Brisbane will be the sentimental favourites and while Lockyer is a favoured son of the Footy Gods, they do have their moods. As do the Cowboys. I really don't want to tip either as I'll just sit back and enjoy the game. But pushed, emotion should get the Broncs home. Panthers v Tigers, Friday 7:45pm, Pokies Park Another fascinating game. The Panthers won't admit it but they have crunched the numbers and have a slim hope for September footy. But the Tigers are burning brightly in the NRL jungle. Losing Chris Lawrence is blow. I'm a big fan of his and the Tigers are a much better team when he is in the side. I'm just not sure where the Panthers' head will be at for this game. If they turn up then an upset is on the cards. But I'm gonna play it safe and take form as my guide. Warriors v Knights, Saturday 5:30pm, Mt Smart Stadium Another potentially great game between finals contenders (don't you love this stage of the season?). The winner has a shot at the top 4. The loser has to fight out to be sure of spot in the eight. The Knights are in this as they have been in tremendous form of late. But the Warriors played one of the games of the season last week and will back up well. Sit back and enjoy this one as well. I will say with the home team. Eels v Sea Eagles, Saturday 7:30pm, Parramatta Stadium I know who y'all are tipping but bugger the lot of you. A true fan sticks by their team. It is one things I learned from attending too many Souths games with Bismark back in the early 2000s. Integrity and redemption redeemed against the old enemy shall be sweet. Titans v Storm, Saturday 7:30pm, Skilled Stadium I'll be cheering the Storm on simply as it helps the Eels avoid the spoon. Plus a Titans win is simply unpossible. Raiders v Super Bunbuns, Sunday 2:00pm, Canberra Stadium The Rabbitohs finally realised their potential on Monday night. If they can back up against the hapless Raiders then they could be the fairytale side of 2011. You sorta half expect Souths to put in a performance that is something awful after last week. But maybe they have turned the tide and 2011 could be the year fans a rewarded with some success deep into the finals. Dragons v Roosters, Sunday 3:00pm, WIN Stadium The Dragons faltering campaign could find its feet against a Carney uninspired Roosters. I'm not sure what Smith and Anasta can really say to get the Roosters going again. It will be interesting to see if their hearts find some way into the game but I'm tipping St Benny to righten the Dragons' ship. Bulldogs v Sharks, Monday 7:00pm, ANZ Stadium Gallen may kick a Titan when one is down but he better beware against kicking one of the Dogs. In fact, he feel like kicking one after this game. Canterbury have been mixed (to say the least) this season but a slim hope of finals spot will seem them fire up. The Sure Thing: The Dragons The Roughy: Knights

Last week I agreed with Peter Peters. It was an unsettling moment that had me in a strange place. Until today when I read that he reckons Darren Lockyer is not worthy of being an "Immortal." Peters can't make that call. And neither can I. It is a decision that needs to be made outside of parochial concerns. While Lockyer's status in the game will be based on his achievements in Origin and with the Broncos, to rank him along side other Queenslanders it wrong. His peers are those who he played the game with, and against, since 1995 regardless of where they reside. I never saw most of the Immortals play other than Beetson (who I only vaguely remember) and Wally Lewis who I remember well. Does Lockyer deserve to be up their? Time will tell. But one thing is for sure. When the great players of the game are accounted for in decades time, Lockyer's name will be among them when Peter Peters will have long faded into obscurity. Tigers v Dragons, Friday 7:45pm, SFS This games holds a lot of promise. The Dragons are faltering whilst the Tigers are, in fits and starts, starting to get a move on. But St Benny will have words, , space age words most likley, to get his team back on track. I'm loathe to pick either side but will stick with the Tigers. Bulldogs v Cowboys, Friday 7:45pm, ANZ Stadium The Cowboys are leaning how to win without JT which could make them one of the most dangerous teams in the comp when he returns. The Bulldogs' hopes are fading. They'll try but the Cowboys will get this one. Storm v Panthers, Saturday 5:30pm, AAMI Stadium The Panthers still have a change to make they eight but they must win this game. They may turn to Parra to see what to do (and not to do) to get the upper hand over the Storm. The trouble is that when Smith, Slater and Cronk set their minds to the task they are formidable. And that may be too much for the Panthers to overcome. Sharks v Titans, Saturday 7:30pm, Toyota Park The Sharks are suffering without Gallen so much that there is word that they will risk his season to play him thereby risking their season if his injury doesn't hold up. The Titans will need to win sometime. This is as good as game as any. Broncos v Warriors, Saturday 7:30pm, Suncorp Stadium This should be one of the games of the round but parochial programming has consigned this game to the nothing time slot. The Warriors are lingering as a fair dinkum contender. This game will sort them out and I think anyone expecting a Brisbane win may be surprised. Knights v Raiders, Sunday 2:00pm, Ausgrid Stadium The Knights have the semis to play for. The Raiders, nothing really. The Knights should get home if they are serious for September. Sea Eagles v Roosters, Sunday 3:00pm, Brookvale Oval Almost a cock fight. Even though Manly lost and the Roosters have Carney I don't think he can do a Benji. Manly at home are too good. Bunsbuns v Eels, Monday 7:00pm, ANZ Stadium The way the Eels are going they will be heard 22 nil with 5 minutes to go and end up losing 23-22 in extra time. But the tide must turn and the Eels will finally get that win they do deserve. The Sure Thing: Manly The Roughy: The Panthers

One of the more ridiculous things I've come across this week was the call for a boycott by Central Coast folk of games at Gosford. The fact it came from a hack who scribbles crayons for the Daily Telecrap is not surprising. What is surprising is that I've ended up agreeing with Peter Peters. And Central Cost folks are no dummies either. I love the games up here and wish there were more. A Central Coast teams would be wonderful but if that wasn't too be the NRL should encourage clubs to move more games to the coast. Bluetongue Stadium is one of the great grounds to watch footy at. Sitting in the stands before a game you get to see the night fall on Brisbane Waters which is just beautiful. With regards to watching the game, the sight lines are always good and even high up the back of the stands you are still close to the action. And when the Stadium is packed, as it was for the Manly - Wests game last year, the atmosphere is tremendous. Of course, one of key features of games at Gosford is that the beer on tap is Bluetongue lager. A very fine local brew that is superior (even in plastic cups) than the generic swill oft present at major stadiums. We Central Coasties sure get spoilt when we go to a game. Tipping time. Sea Eagles v Tigers, Friday 7:45pm, Bluetongue Stadium The corresponding game last year was a cracker. And this one promises to be just as great of a spectacle. I'm going to tip the Eagles as I'm just not sure if Wests have fully got their season on track. I can accept that I could be wrong about this game but if I am, it will be in such a spectacular way that I won't mind having witness a great game. Broncos v Sharks, Friday 7:45pm, Suncorp Stadium A few weeks ago this may have been a beauty of a game. But the Sharks simply don't have the class to sustain their form. Gallen out is a big blow to Cronulla and they will struggle without his go forward and derring do. Roosters v Bulldogs, Saturday 5:30pm, SFS The Bulldogs won in the big wet last week but the win again wasn't one that mean they had turned the corner. As for the Roosters, who knows what path they are on. They have nothing left this season but pride. Which can be a test of character and that will be of interest. Dry weather will suit Pearce and Carney and that will get them over the Dogs. Cowboys v Panthers, Saturday 7:30pm, Dairy Farmers Stadium Life without JT has not been so bad for the Cowboys. They have showed great improvement as a side this season. And while the Panthers better times are ahead, this year will give them a great platform for 2012 (if not a finals shot this year). With Coote out I'm leaning to the Cowboys because they are at home. But that doesn't mean Penrith haven't got a chance. Far from it. This could a very entertaining game if both teams allow their attack their head. Warriors v Raiders, Sunday 12:00pm, Mt Smart Stadium Raiders rode the hoodoo to a great win but they won't have the emotional base to build a win across the ditch. Plenty of pundits are warming to the Warriors chances this year and I'm not one to miss a bandwagon, especially if the seats are comfy. Knights v Titans, Sunday 2:00pm, Ausgrid Stadium Of interest is Beau Henry's return to Newy after being cut adrift and rescued by the passing Titans. But he may need to wait for revenge as the Titans are playing with accursed luck and the end of the season can't come soon enough. The Knights will be desperate to cling onto eight spot and that will give them focus. Dragons v Bunnies, Sunday 3:00pm, WIN Stadium Regardless of last week's failure to run a hoodoo down, the Dragons' fire has burned as intensely this season. But you never right them off especially with St Benny at the helm. The closeness of this match depends of the Rabbitohs turn up to play. Their season is done but a chance for glory against the old enemy may gird their loins for one mighty effort. Eels v Storm, Monday 7:00pm, Parramatta Stadium It is rare these days to see the evolution of fair dinkum rivalry but 2009 has not been forgotten by the Eels. The Eels got trounced last time but despite their position on the table, they are playing with far more spirit and composure their playing rosters should allow. And as I'm without a prayer in any of the tipping comps I'm on why not the Blue and Gold? The Sure Thing: The Storm :-) The Roughy: The Tigers.

Hopefully, an outcome of the new television rights deal will be the humbling of Channel 9. For some years now, 9 has not had the best interests of the NRL at heart. That lack of live Storm games into Melbourne, so called live games on delay, the absurdity of the Sunday game on delay, etc reveal a dark heart to 9's coverage of the footy. Now David Gyngell is suggesting the game be change to incorporate more ad breaks. Obviously he is not content with Ray Warren, Sterlo and Gus constantly (and embarrassingly) spruiking betting agencies and cross promos during the broadcasts. Gyngell also talks down the billion dollar price tag for the rights but he would. He'd love to get it cheaper as they did last time the rights were up. I hope this the NRL is not so naive and extracts the full dollars from the networks. One that that the NRL must insist on is all games live. The delay for the Sunday game exist solely to serve Channel 9. There is no other need for it. The coverage is night unwatchable due to the number of ads and little analysis pre and post game. It is a mockery of what modern sports broadcasting should be. A change is needed that benefits the NRL and not the arrogance of TV stations. Onto to the tips. Bulldogs v Parramatta, Friday 7:45pm, ANZ Stadium Their first meeting this year was a monumental game with the now infamous moment when Hayne showed Payne where exactly his forearm hit Hayne's head. Alas this game Hindy won't get some revenge on Ennis (out the through injury) but he will get the win denied last week. Storm v Broncos, Friday 7:45pm, AAMI Stadium The Storm are one of the big three; The teams that seem to be a few steps ahead of every one else. The question is if the Broncos are to join them as the big four. I'm not sure on the Queenslanders' credentials but this could be a fascinating game. Titans v Cowboys, Saturday 5:30pm, Skilled Stadium The Cowboys seemed to suffer a case of No Thurstonitis. The Titans however are suffering from everyone else. And may they suffer some more as their season winds down. The Cowboys have a top eight spot to play for and even without JT will get home. Wests v Easts, Saturday 7:30pm, Leichhardt Oval Another game where one side has a real crack at the top eight and the other is looking at Mad Monday and the end of season trip. With Lawrence and Tuquri back and Benji starting to look interested the Tigers should be too much for the Chooks especially at Leichhardt. Sharks v Knights, Saturday 7:30pm, Toyota Park Hard to get an idea on both sides as their opponents last week were simply a class above. But the Sharks are proving quite a handful at home and should be too much for the Knights. Panthers v Sea Eagles, Sunday 3:00pm, Mug Punters Stadium Get yer radars out for this game. Manly have been pretty impressive the past few months (regardless of the loss to the Saints) where the Panthers have been a little up and down. If the Panthers are a contender this then this game is the one to show it. On form Manly are the team but the Panthers will be buoyed by last week's escape. The game of the round for mine. Canberra v Dragons, Monday 7:00pm, Canberra Stadium 10 years since the Dragons won in Canberra. But on form, this year suggests that the Dragons may finally over come the hoodoo. All good things come to an end and if the Dragons minds are sound then they will break the curse. Unlike other years, Canberra have nothing to play for. This will do their heads in. The Sure Thing: The Dragons The Roughy: Penrith

They say you learn a lot about someone in how they handle defeat. But what do we learn from how someone handles victory? Specifically, what does Mal Meninga's outburst tell us about him? It tells us that Mal is a passionate person but maybe he lets that sometimes get in the way of common sense. In his rant he bemoans a perceived lack of attention to the achievements of his fantastic Queensland side. Unfortunately the storm he has created itself is overshadowing the Origin victory. If it was just a go at the Daily Telecrap hacks and some of their absurd Origin articles no-one would have begrudged him the spray. But his targets were wide and varied and he came across as a sore winner. Just as much as having Slater, Lockyer, Thurston and Smith granted Queensland six years of domination, Mal has just been as an important part of Queensland's domination. While his assistants may have had input, they themselves would be enough. Mal brings it all together making the whole. He deserves full credit for the 6 years of domination. But not so much credit for how he has handled victory. And remember it is Rivalry Round this weekend. Of course, it is always Rivalry Round in the comments here at Sidelined. Predistical ponderings await! Warriors v Bulldogs, Friday 6:30pm Mt Smart Stadium Moore has left the kennel leaving the Doggies with an uncertain future. They may lift for new coach Dymock as is tradition but I don't see it. The Doggies have lost their bark (especially their back three under the high ball) and are gone for 2011. Indifferent as the Warriors have been they'll lift at home. Broncos v Titans, Friday 7:30pm, Suncorp Stadium 2011 has been over for the Titans for a couple of weeks now. The next 8 rounds will seem like an eternity. The Broncos will have welcome the bye and will now be looking for a top four finish. Bunnies v Chooks, Saturday 5:30pm, ANZ Stadium The Bunnies tried hard against the Eagles while the Chooks were made to look good by a very ordinary Penrith. A deceiving win really as the Bunnies played the better footy against a better team. Which is why I'm going to tip them. If they lose then it is all Bismark's fault. Panthers v Eels, Saturday 7:30pm, Gould's Gambling Emporium Stadium Both teams will be up for this game. The Panthers will be for sure a better side than last week. But the Eels will be desperate to mark Hindy's 300th game with a win. A mighty achievement that no NRL fan will begrudge the great man. And kudos to the Panthers for some great sportsmanship in the lead up to the game acknowledging the milestone. Sorry MB, no option but the heart for this one. Cowboys v Tigers, Saturday 7:30pm, Dairy Farmers Stadium Adam Blair better be worth all the pain the Tigers are going through. And the Cowboys showed last week what a team can do if they are committed when missing their key player. You sort of expect to the Tigers to start getting it right but the spirit isn't there. I think the Cowboys are going to do ok without Thurston. Raiders v Storm, Sunday 2:00pm, Canberra Stadium If this was a game on a cold winters night I'd give Canberra a good chance. But daytime games seems to even up things are bit. Plus Melbourne are on a roll. If Dugan plays then that make an interesting battle with Slater but Melbourne just have too much all round class. Canberra's race is done. Knights v Sea Eagles, Sunday 3:00pm, AusGrid Stadium A game that depends on the Knights turning up. They were really off the game on Monday night dropping way too much ball. I won't rule out them bouncing back but Manly's form is irresistible at the moment. Sharks v Dragons, Monday 7:00pm, Toyota Park Do you know that a Chinese submarine was apparently spotted off Cronulla beach? Could Harold be coming back? The Sharks' form suggest that it the unthinkable is being thunk. The talk is about Gas giving he game away but after Monday, the talk will be about Cronulla making a charge for the eight.

It has happened again. For the sixth year running I have no memory between 8pm and 10pm for a Wednesday night in early July. I have no idea why this continue to happen. I wonder if I have missed anything important? I was going to use the intro to talk about the NRL and pokies. But as I thought more about the issue a more detailed and considered post is required. I shall get one up over the weekend. 28 is the magic number. Nurse, bring me my pills and the tips! Warriors v Titans, Friday 6:30pm, Mt Smart Stadium The Titans will need to win all 8 games to have a hope of making the finals. Their season will end Friday night. The Warriors haven't been great recently but then again they haven't been as bad as the Gold Coast. Eels v Tigers, Friday 7:45pm, Parramatta Stadium The Eels have fought hard in recent games but lacked polish to close the deal. The Tigers have played awful but the polish of Benji has got them home. The word is Benji will play so that will tip the punters towards the Tigers. As for me, I'll enjoy Hayne back in the side and an unlikely win by the Blue and Gold. Sharks v Raiders, Saturday 5:30pm, Toyota park A few weeks ago, no-one except Harold Holt devotees would have picked this as one of the games of the round. But with both teams making a late season charge for the eight, this game has a lot of promise. Both teams have confidence and this will be an entertaining affair. The Sharkies to continue their run of glory. Bulldogs v Storm, Saturday 7:00pm, Adelaide Oval Yep, you read that right. The Bulldogs take a home game to South Australia. Probably a good idea given how they are travelling. They'll receive no favours from Melbourne and the Doggies tail spin will continue. Roosters v Panthers, Sunday 2:00pm, SFS ex-Panthers coach Matty Elliott will be an assistant coach at the Roosters next season. I wonder if he has passed on any inside information? Not sure if that would help the Roosters given the rabble they have become. Heading into uncharted territory as I tip Penrith for the fourth week in a row! Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs, Sunday 3:00pm, Brookvale Oval The Bunnies' injury toll is taking its toll. Maybe after the shellacking last week they may clear their heads and put in again. They will need to a Manly at home have become a fearsome prospect. The true believers will say otherwise but I don't think South Sydney have a hope in this game. Knights v Cowboys, Monday 7:00pm, Ausgrid Stadium The Cowboys have shown all year that they can match it in the forwards with any team in the comp. However if JT isn't there then they can't convert field position to points. Which is what will happen in this game. The Knights will get the points at home. The Sure Thing: Manly The Roughy: The Raiders

So Dave Taylor didn't get off. While Queenslanders will be sure to cry conspiracy theory and take the case to Lord Monckton, a man who has never come across a conspiracy theory he didn't like, I'm more interested in the very petty manners of the judiciary. Taylor's charge was originally only four weeks but because he contest and lost another week was added on. I find this added penalty just another example of why many fans regard NRL justice at the "jokeidicary." If a player feels he is wronged then the act of a challenge should not carry an extra penalty. If the new independent commission does get up and running (an event seemingly to be equal odds with the Sharks winning premiership) an overhaul of the judiciary would be most very welcome. Now on to the tips. Eels v Broncos, Friday 7:45pm, Parramatta Stadium Both sides denuded of their star players this still promises to be a good game. The young Broncos side will be wanting to prove themselves while the Eels must win to have a hope of finals footy. But the story will be the redemption of Reni Maitua. Listed on a 5 man Eels bench he is expected to play. He could turn out to be vital in getting the Eels to the finals this year. Mark my words. Panthers v Bulldogs, Saturday 7:30pm, Gamble Your Mortgage Away Stadium If you are on a ship that is sinking, just because the rats aren't leaving doesn't mean that your ship has stopped going down. It just means the rats have all bolted. Hence the Bulldogs win last weekend doesn't mean the slide has stopped. The Tigers were just woeful. The Panthers will miss Lewis but with their coach for 2012 settled many of the players will be now out to bolster their credentials if in need of a new contrast. Expect some raw performances from the Mountain Men. Sharks v Rabbitohs, Sunday 2:00pm, Toyota Park Both sides again stripped of some key players with Gallen the big loss. But the Bunnies are going to miss the strength of Taylor and Inglis. However winning is a habit and the Sharks are playing with confidence. Sunday promises to be a lovely winter's day and a good sized Cronulla crowd will enjoy the victory. Dragons v Knights, Sunday 3:00pm, WIN Stadium The Knight's knight in shining armour is look at little dull at the moment. The deadline for certain financial issues to be settled has passed with no resolution. This could flow onto the players' performances. Not a good thing when things were just looking settled at the club. St Benny's old club to get one over his new club. Roosters v Raiders, Monday 7:00pm, SFS Stadium One of those games where you really have no idea. Both sides have been ordinary. Given the Raiders showed some life last week they are the one team in this game that anything resembling momentum. The Sure Thing: The Panthers The Roughy: The Bunbuns have it in them to grab the upset.