There is a clear top tier of teams in the NRL now. Penrith, South Sydney and St George Illawarra Dragons. They're top three on the ladder, and now there's another reason why. The three teams all played lowly teams in the form of Canberra, the Gold Coast and Canterbury, and all had very narrow victories. It doesn't seem impressive at first, but when you play well below your best and still win the tight games, that's the sign of a strong side, a side with potential.

Cronulla, the Roosters, Brisbane, New Zealand and Melbourne aren't far behind, but a clear rung below the cream of the crop. We're in the eye of the Origin period now, and as the strong teams continue to navigate through, the bottom teams are slowly gaining confidence and momentum, and building towards an exciting second half of the season.

Parramatta Eels vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs

ANZ Stadium, 7:50pm, Thursday June 14

Team News: Manu Ma'u returns to the starting side, with Marata Niukore dropping back to the bench. South Sydney have named their Origin stars to return, with Robbie Farah, Mark Nicholls, Tyrell Fuimaono and Hymel Hunt dropping to the reserves.

Injury Watch: Mitchell Moses is an outside chance of returning after being named in the reserves.

Prediction: Ignore the ladder positions, this should be a cracker. Parramatta finally found some form last weekend, while South Sydney played their worst game of the season. Jarryd Hayne hit back big time, but Anthony Seibold will be drilling the importance of a good completion rate into his side all week, and with their Origin stars returning, the Bunnies should have the firepower to make it seven straight wins. Rabbitohs by 10.

North Queensland Cowboys vs. New Zealand Warriors

1300SMILES Stadium, 6pm, Friday June 15

Team News: Michael Morgan returns at fullback, pushing out Lachlan Coote. Kane Linnett starts at centre, pushing Justin O'Neill out of the side and Ben Hampton joining the interchange. Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess return to the starting side after coming off the bench last week. Javid Bowen replaces Antonio Winterstein on the wing. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns at fullback, pushing Peta Hiku to centre and Gerard Beale out of the side.

Injury Watch: No immediate concerns.

Prediction: North Queensland, how can they sink any lower. Pre-season premiership favourites, the Cowboys are practically no chance of making the finals in 2018. The Warriors have been the surprise packets of the year, currently sitting in fourth place and going strong. But every weekend has had an upset, and up in Townsville, this could be it. The night is always darkest before the dawn, and the Cowboys have surely hit their lowest point. It's time for a bit of light to shine back at 1300SMILES Stadium. Cowboys by 4.

 

Sydney Roosters vs. Penrith Panthers

Allianz Stadium, 7:55pm, Friday June 15

Team News: Mitch Aubusson starts, pushing Sio Siua Taukeiaho to the bench. Jack Hetherington replaces Viliame Kikau on the bench.

Injury Watch: Viliame Kikau will miss 1-3 weeks with a medial ligament sprain, while Peter Wallace has announced his immediate retirement from rugby league.

Prediction: The Roosters were squeaky last weekend against Newcastle, but they're slowly hitting their straps and timing their run to perfection. Penrith only just managed to sneak away with the victory in Canberra, but it's always a good sign when you play well below your potential and still manage to get the premiership points. The battle between the halves should be worth the price of admission on its own, so let's hope a decent crowd comes out to watch the match of the round, it's a flip of a coin this game. Roosters by 2.

 

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Gold Coast Titans

Belmore Sports Ground, 3pm, Saturday June 16

Team News: Dave Klemmer will start, dropping Renouf Toomaga back to the bench. Jarrod Wallace's suspension sees Jack Stockwell start and Will Matthews join the bench. Morgan Boyle replaces Max King on the bench.

Injury Watch: Kieran Foran is a week away from returning from a toe and a rib injury. Max King is waiting on scans for his dislocated shoulder.

Prediction: Two sides who gave their absolute all last weekend, yet both defeated in identical 18-16 score lines. Gold Coast should feel particularly hard done by, with an average refereeing displaying at Cbus Super Stadium. These teams desperately need a win, and while the Gold Coast has a far more exciting attack, their defence presents a host of issues. The fact this match is played out at Belmore will be the deciding factor in a game that could equally exciting as it could be a scrapfest. Bulldogs by 6.

 

St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

WIN Stadium, 5:30pm, Saturday June 16

Team News: St George Illawarra have named the same side that defeated the Bulldogs on Monday. Manly have named 19-year-old hooker Manase Fainu to debut following Api Koroisa's injury. Moses Suli returns in the centres, pushing Brad Parker to the interchange bench.

Injury Watch: Api Koroisau will miss 8-10 weeks with a broken foot.

Prediction: Manly's season just keeps going from bad to worse. After a heavy defeat to New Zealand, compounded by the loss of their hooker in Api Koroisau, the Sea Eagle's season looks bleaker and bleaker. The Dragons showed parts of their best without hitting their peak on Monday and should have the strength to overcome a weakened Manly squad. Dragons by 16.

 

Cronulla Sharks vs. Brisbane Broncos

Southern Cross Group Stadium, 7:35pm, Saturday June 16

Team News: Cronulla have named the same side that snagged a victory over the Tigers last weekend, while Brisbane has only made one change - James Roberts returns in place of Tom Opacic.

Injury Watch: No immediate concerns.

Prediction: It's a shame he's injured because Jack Bird up against his former club would've been a cracker. But this clash has enough merit without Bird to still be a great encounter. The teams had differing fortunes last weekend, with Cronulla trailing at halftime to come back and earn a victory, while Brisbane led Melbourne at the break only to be crushed in the second half. Based off that, expect a strong defensive first half from Brisbane, but at home, it'll be Cronulla who come home with a wet sail. Sharks by 8.

 

Newcastle Knights vs. Melbourne Storm

McDonald Jones Stadium, 2pm, Sunday June 17

Team News: Luke Yates replaces Jamie Buhrer on the bench. Billy Slater, Curtis Scott and Will Chambers return, pushing Jahrome Hughes to the bench and Young Tonumaipea and Cheyse Blair to the reserves. Jesse Bromwich is out, pushing Tim Glasby to prop, and Kenny Bromwich starts at lock.

Injury Watch: Jamie Buhrer's season is over following an ACL tear, while Jesse Bromwich will sit out 4-6 weeks with a grade two hamstring tear.

Prediction: Look away Newcastle fans, because this could be ugly. While they were certainly admirable against the Roosters last weekend, Melbourne are picking it up more and more, and regain three of three of their missing backline members back this weekend, with Billy Slater the biggest inclusion. Cameron Smith has been at his absolute best since returning from suspension and should be able to easily string along an extremely young side. Melbourne by 18.

 

Wests Tigers vs. Canberra Raiders

Campbelltown Stadium, 4:10pm, Sunday June 17

Team News: Tui Lolohea has been dropped again, with Corey Thompson moving to fullback and Malakai Watene-Zellezniak starting on the wing. McIllwrick returns at hooker, with Elijah Taylor shifting to lock. Robbie Rochow returns to the back-row, with Josh Aloiai and Matt Eisenhuth dropping back to the bench. Michael Oldfield replaces the injured Jordan Rapana, while Josh Hodgson makes his long-awaited return, pushing Siliva Havili to the bench, and Ata Hingano out of the team.

Injury Watch: Jordan Rapana will miss eight weeks with a hamstring tear.

Prediction: This should be a great attacking match, with Josh Hodgson's return the obvious headline. The question is - will Hodgson be underdone? Returning to the NRL only seven months after an ACL tear is incredibly quick, with Havili's inclusion on the bench more than precautionary. Ricky Stuart must be desperate to include Hodgson with no game time under his belt, and the risk of reinjury must be concerning. Expect the Tigers to target the Raiders through their middle third, and with Corey Thompson sniffing around the back, Wests should be able to snatch this one. Tigers by 7.

Point To Prove

Josh Reynolds. The Wests Tigers skipped had his first start for his new club last weekend, and while the Tigers held an unlikely lead at halftime, Cronulla mowed them down quickly. Reynolds has the next month to prove that when Benji Marshall returns from injury, Reynolds NEEDS to be in the starting line-up if the club is to break a seven-year finals drought.

Struggle Street

Jonathan Thurston. I know, I know, it's tough to knock a champion but Greg Alexander's statement of JT playing 'a season too long' ring truer and truer. The halfback missed six tackles last week and made three handling errors as the Cowboys sunk to the lowly Eels. It's time for Thurston to hand the halfback jersey to Michael Morgan and revert back to his old five-eighth role, and take a back seat so Morgan can lead this side.

Rookie Watch

Junior Tatola. The young South Sydney prop has played every game for the Rabbitohs off the bench this season in his maiden year of first grade and is keeping experienced forwards like Kyle Turner, Mark Nicholls and Zane Musgrove out of the NRL side. Carrying a solid build and a decent work ethic, Tatola is an integral and unrecognised cog in the Rabbitoh's rise this year.

Photo of the Week

Quote of the Week

"It can now be revealed that Peter has played the last two years with no ACL in his knee after his last knee reconstruction actually failed." - Phil Gould talking about Peter Wallace's bravery after he announced his immediate retirement from the NRL.

Best Bet

Billy Slater to score 2+ tries. It seems risky, but returning from a hamstring injury against a weakened Newcastle outfit, Billy's experience and strong combination with Cameron Smith close to the line will see Slater snare a couple of meat pies, with one to come from a Smith grubber kick.

Rumour of the Week

Manly may look weak on the field, but they are struggling more so off it. On top of their poor performances, the club is still looking to release players to loosen the salary cap strain. Dylan Walker is doesn't want to leave but is looking more likely. But Marty Taupau is quite the opposite - the Kiwi forward wants out, with offers from the Raiders, the Roosters and a third club - thought to be the Wests Tigers - yet Manly have refused to entertain Taupau's decision to leave the club. He's staying put for now, but don't be surprised if Taupau isn't on the North shore come 2019.