Gold Coast Titans vs. Cronulla Sharks
Suncorp Stadium, 7:55pm, Thursday May 9

Team News: Dale Copley replaces Phillip Sami on the wing, while AJ Brimson starts in place of Tyrone Roberts. Jesse Arthars is named to debut on the bench. Sosaia Feki returns on the wing in place of Sione Katoa.

Prediction: How did Cronulla do it? $3 million of salary cap on the sidelines and still beat a practically full strength Melbourne outfit. It may have cost me a perfect score in the tipping last week, but it was one of their more memorable wins, and proves the grind and grit that Cronulla can provide. The Titans were admirable against North Queensland, but ultimately fell victim to a rampaging Taumalolo and a surprise stand out five-eighth in John Asiata. The Gold Coast will put up a fight, but the Sharks will begin the NRL's magic round with some magic of their own. Cronulla by 14. 

Wests Tigers vs. Penrith Panthers
Suncorp Stadium, 6:00pm, Friday May 10

Team News: Benji Marshall returns. Ryan Matterson moves back to his preferred back-row spot, while Matt Eisenhuth replaces Josh Aloiai (concussion) at lock. Oliver Clark is the new face on the bench, with Russell Packer, Elijah Taylor and Michael Chee Kam named as reserves. Frank Winterstein replaces Viliame Kikau in the back-row, while Dean Whare returns in the centres, pushing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to the wing, with his brother Malaki out injured.

Prediction: Ivan Cleary comes up against his former club for the second time this season, this time at the neural Suncorp Stadium. His son got him out of trouble the last time these sides clashed with a golden point field goal. Both teams were walloped last week, the Tigers came up against Latrell in the wrong week, and Penrith fell to a Canberra side who refused to lose two on the trot. Benji Marshall should be the face of Magic Round with the highlights he's provided in his career, but it'll be Penrith who manage a surprise victory on Friday night. Panthers by 8. 

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs. Brisbane Broncos
Suncorp Stadium, 8:05pm, Friday May 10

Team News: Api Koroisau shifts to five-eighth to cover for the injured Lachlan Croker, while Jorge Taufua comes back at the expense of Abbas Miski. Manase Fainu starts at hooker, with Toafofoa Sipley starting in place of Fonua-Blake, and both Morgan Boyle and Kelepi Tanginoa join the bench. James Robert and Jamayne Isaako have been dropped, replaced by Kotoni Staggs and Gehamat Shibasaki. Pangai Jnr is benched with Thomas Flegler starting at lock, while Jake Turpin slots in at hooker for the injured Andrew McCullough.

Prediction: Injuries and form have seen both these teams chopped and changed in the last week. Manly's halves have been ravaged with injuries, which sees Api Koroisau shift to the halves, however it hands Manase Fainu a chance to impress in the starting side. Roberts and Isaako, rep stars, have been dropped after a subpar game against South Sydney, but losing McCullough is a huge loss. On a side note, one can't help but feel it's a little unfair that Brisbane are the away team in this clash, giving them an extra clash at Suncorp. Dearden impressed last week, but Manly will find a way to win again under Des, and defeat the Broncos on their home turf. Manly by 2. 

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Newcastle Knights
Suncorp Stadium, 3:00pm, Saturday May 11

Team News: Sauaso Sue replaces Ofahiki Ogden on the bench, with Kieran Foran on the reserves. Newcastle are unchanged.

Prediction: Why Canterbury dropped Ofahiki Ogden, one of their better forwards, I'll never know. Canterbury are travelling along like an old spluttering car, getting the occasional rev, but it's a bumpy ol' ride. Newcastle's gear stick was jammed, but they're finally thrusting into top gear and discovering their potential. They've had two good wins in two weeks, both 13+, and will look to make it a third over a helpless Bulldogs outfit. While Benji is the man with the most magical highlight reel, Ponga is adding to his quickly, and will step his way into the weekend's top moments on Saturday. Newcastle by 16.

New Zealand Warriors vs. St George Illawarra Dragons
Suncorp Stadium, 5:30pm, Saturday May 11

Team News: Kodi Nikorima has been named to make his Warriors' debut on his old home turf, replacing Chanel Tevita-Harris. Isaac Luke has been dropped, with Nathaniel Roache in at hooker. David Fusitu'a has overcome his rib injury, sending Gerard Beale back to the reserves. Chris Satae and Hayze Perham are replaced on the bench by Karl Lawton and Ligi Sao. Jai Field comes into the Dragon's halves for the injured Corey Norman.

Prediction: Hallelujah, someone is listening. Nikorima isn't a halfback. Plain and simple, he's a great player, but he can't organise, he plays what he sees. And now at five-eighth, and finally partnering a half that can direct play, he'll fire. Jai Field, his opposite number, is a young excitement machine that will look to capitalise on Norman's injury. This is honestly a toss of a coin. Ben Hunt's class and St George Illawarra's forward pack will get them home, but it'll be a close one. Dragons by 1.  

Melbourne Storm vs. Parramatta Eels
Suncorp Stadium, 7:35pm, Saturday May 11

Team News: Brandon Smith returns on the bench in place of Patrick Kaufusi, while Tim Mannah replaces Kane Evans on Parramatta's interchange bench.

Prediction: If you base this on last week's form, it's a Parramatta victory. But I think otherwise. The Eels are playing a good brand of football, playing to their strengths, and on the back of the form of their back three. But Caug Bellamy coached side's rarely lose two on the trot. Suncorp is like a second home to them, especially Origin stars like Cameron Munster and Cam Smith, and in front of a packed house, they'll sneak past Parramatta. Melbourne by 4. 

Sydney Roosters vs. Canberra Raiders
Suncorp Stadium, 2:00pm, Sunday May 12

Team News: Matt Ikuvalu returns on the wing, pushing Joey Manu back to the centres, Mitch Aubusson to the bench and Lindsay Collins out of the side. Hudson Young starts in place of John Bateman. Jordan Rapana returns, pushing Bailey Simonsson to the bench.

Prediction: This is exciting. The team everyone expects to dominate the competition against arguably the biggest surprise packet of 2019. The Roosters have now won seven straight games, while Canberra's defence is the main reason they sit pretty in third place with a 6-2 record, and have a few players with their hat in the Origin ring. The loss of Bateman for six weeks is massive, and the Roosters will take advantage, probably something around a 22-12 region. Roosters by 10.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. North Queensland Cowboys
Suncorp Stadium, 4:05pm, May 12

Team News: South Sydney are unchanged. Coen Hess starts in place of the injured Josh McGuire, with Mitchell Dunn joining the bench. Kyle Feldt will play his first game of 2019, pushing Justin O'Neill into the centres.

Prediction: So many individual battles in this clash, and it's going to be tight. Don't look at the ladder position. One of the best games this round. Taumalolo has hit the ground running since coming back in and comes up against the form lock of the competition in Cameron Murray. They're VERY different body shapes, but do their jobs so effectively. Murray's play the ball speed is phenomenal. Jake Granville will be keen to cement an Origin call-up, while the Bunnies' halves have limited opportunities left to show they should be donning sky blue in a month. This will be a belter, but the Rabbitohs' should get the victory, though a Cowboys win wouldn't surprise. Souths by 6.

Point To Prove: Cameron Murray. Like I touched on before, Murray is the form lock of the NRL so far in 2019. He's only 90kgs wringing wet, but the way he cuts people in half is fantastic. Listening to Brad Fittler talk, it seems Murray is right up there in terms of an Origin debut, and has his nose in front of Victor Radley. He can cement himself with a win in his one-on-one battle with Taumalolo. It won't be easy, but this kid is special. 

Struggle Street: Jayden Okunbur. The kid hit the ground running, but has struggled in recent times. His defence has come under fire, and he's been sketchy under the high ball. The scenes of him trampling Cameron Smith seem an age ago, and if he wants to stay in the NRL, he needs to step up. Marking Shaun Kenny-Dowall will be no easy task, the ball is in his court. 

Rookie Watch: Jesse Arthars. The fullback has been named to make his debut from the bench for the Gold Coast, and one message for Cronulla - watch out. Arthars is just 20, but has spent time in both Melbourne and South Sydney's systems, though he's had blokes like Slater and Inglis blocking his path. He gets his shot here, and if allowed to inject himself, will cause havoc on a tiring Shark's defensive line. 

Best Bet: Latrell Mitchell to score a try. Mitchell marks up against Michael Oldfield this week, alarm bells should be ringing. Oldfield is a handy veteran that has bounced around some clubs, but he isn't too familiar at centre, and with the form he's in, Mitchell could trample him.

Rumour of the Week: At his best, he's one of the NRL's most dominant props, but George Burgess's days in the NRL might be numbered. Burgess has really struggled with injury and fitness, and seems to have really lost his desire. While it's still at long odds of happening, don't be surprised if an early retirement strikes down George Burgess.