After a round featuring a golden point win, three two-point victories and a match-winning try in the final seconds, tipsters are preparing for another tricky week packed with close contests.
The Storm are looking to bounce back from last week's golden point loss to Manly when they face the Broncos in Brisbane; the Raiders have a short turnaround before travelling to face the Warriors in Auckland; and the Sharks and Knights are desperate for a win to get back inside the top eight but won't find it easy going against the Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles.
Before you enter your tips, see who the NRL.com experts are backing and read Brett Kimmorley's previews.
Round 19 tips and previews
Wests Tigers v Cowboys, Thursday 7.50pm at Leichhardt Oval
Brett Kimmorley says: An emotional victory for Wests Tigers last week in Robbie Farah's 300th game. They also responded to some strong words from their coach. Back at Leichhardt Oval – they will love that. The Cowboys just relied on a high completion rate last week, they didn't ask a great deal of questions. The Cowboys are stretching themselves at this time of the year with injuries and poor mistakes. Wests Tigers by 8
Match: Wests Tigers v Cowboys
Round 20 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
8th Position
away Team
Cowboys
13th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Warriors v Raiders, Friday 6pm at Mt Smart Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: The Raiders were great on Sunday, but now they have to travel to New Zealand on a short turnaround. Ricky Stuart won't let there be any excuses. Defensively they are very, very good – that's what wins premierships. As for the Warriors, it is pretty much do or die. They're back at Mt Smart which will help, but I don't know if they'll have the physicality or pace of game that the Raiders can play at. I think this will be goodbye to the Warriors for 2019. Raiders by 6
Match: Warriors v Raiders
Round 20 -
home Team
Warriors
12th Position
away Team
Raiders
3rd Position
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Broncos v Storm, Friday 7.55pm at Suncorp Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: We don't see the Storm lose too many games back-to-back. This will be a big test for the Broncos – it's not the right time to be playing Melbourne. The forward battle should be really good. The pressure will be put onto Jake Turpin and Anthony Milford by the Storm. I just think there will be a bit too much coming from the Melbourne Storm. Storm by 2
Match: Broncos v Storm
Round 20 -
home Team
Broncos
10th Position
away Team
Storm
1st Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Sea Eagles v Knights, Saturday 3pm at Lottoland
Brett Kimmorley says: The Knights desperately need to win here after what they've done in the last month. They need that energy and upbeat football to come back. They key for them is going to be Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce. In Manase Fainu, Manly have a young hooker who is playing an unbelievable brand of football. Sea Eagles by 10
Match: Sea Eagles v Knights
Round 20 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
5th Position
away Team
Knights
11th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Bulldogs v Panthers, Saturday 5.30pm at Bankwest Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: The Dogs make everyone fight to beat them. The unfortunate thing for Canterbury is that if Penrith get to 20 points you can't see Canterbury winning. It is going to be a grind for Penrith but the Bulldogs' struggles in attack put this in the Panthers' favour. Panthers by 8
Match: Bulldogs v Panthers
Round 20 -
home Team
Bulldogs
15th Position
away Team
Panthers
9th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Sharks v Rabbitohs, Saturday 7.35pm at PointsBet Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: This is going to be a cracking game. Andrew Fifita will be back, Sam Burgess looks like being back. We are going to get some big humans returning. Both sides are now starting to push themselves into positions where they will want to be for the finals. I don't think Wayne Bennett will be overly happy with the form of the Rabbitohs last weekend. Cronulla had a scrappy win last weekend but sometime that's all you need to get some confidence. Sharks by 2
Match: Sharks v Rabbitohs
Round 20 -
home Team
Sharks
7th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
4th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Roosters v Titans, Sunday 2pm at Sydney Cricket Ground
Brett Kimmorley says: The Roosters were a bit clunky last week, this could be a bad day for the Titans. We've seen no response from them since the coach was sacked two weeks ago. Their inability to stay in the arm wrestle and not conceded easy tries hurts them. There may be injury and suspension problems for the Roosters but they still have plenty of class. Roosters by 14
Match: Roosters v Titans
Round 20 -
home Team
Roosters
2nd Position
away Team
Titans
16th Position
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Dragons v Eels, Sunday 4.05pm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Brett Kimmorley says: The Dragons are another team that definitely need a win to keep their finals hopes alive. I think Ben Hunt will respond strongly this week and Cameron McInnes was great last weekend – he did everything he could to win a game of football for his team. Parramatta have been inconsistent. Brad Arthur as some stage will want to see the team play tough and defend like first grade players for more than one week in a row. Eels by 2
Match: Dragons v Eels
Round 20 -
home Team
Dragons
14th Position
away Team
Eels
6th Position
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
