I may give this a go if you don't mind
Penrith vs St. George
With Penrith in ominous form, very hard to go past them at home. St. George have Gasnier and Bailey returning giving Nathan Brown his best possible 17 in sometime, but season best form from Panther halves Gower and Campbell with the Dragons being too hot /cold sways my vote to the defending premieres.
Key: Penrith's forwards matching it early with the Dragons pack. If they do this, Penrith win on the back of the classy backline.
Penrith 1-12.
Brisbane vs Melbourne
Brisbane have no 'real' recent form to really gauge where they are at especially with Lockyer being out since the Doggies game. Both Lockyer and Berrigan return, couple that with the emotion of Tallis's last home game, Brisbane should do enough to get this one if Webcke and co. play to their reputations.
Melbourne are by no means making up the numbers, if Reynoldson, Kearns and Kearney can inspire the Storm forwards to take it right up to Brisbane, on the back of Orford and Hill they are definately a chance to upset the more fancied rival.
Key: Brisbane forwards dominating the Stormers from VIC thus putting Orford and Hill behind the beaten pack. Brisbane need to score first IMO as if this does not happen, Melbourne's confidence and brilliant attack may just run the tired looking Bronco's ragged and pull off the upset of the round.
Brisbane 1-12.
Canterbury vs North Queensland
So much depends for NQ depends on the fitness of Paul Rauhihi. If he plays, they are in with a chance despite the recent loss @ home with the big fella playing against his former club. The NQ pack is awesome with Rauhihi leading the charge, if they can get on top of the best pack in the game, dynamo Matty Bowen will cause Canterbury headaches around the ruck.
I have to take the Doggies who have a forward pack that is quite simply the best in the competition at the moment. O'Meley, Price provide second to none go forward with guys like Ryan, Mason and SBW providing a punch that only 5 teams handled this season. The backline is equally as brilliant (is Sherwin playing ?) as the big men and with Mr. 12 points a game El Magic in their side, they have the edge in this especially with doubts on Rauhihi.
Key: Obvious one, O'Meley and co. picking up where they left off last weekend providing the go forward that belts the opposition into submission allowing Anasta, Sherwin, Utai and Tonga to go to work on the tiring opposition.
Canterbury 12+.
Sydney City vs Canberra
Canberra have been given NO CHANCE by bookmakers in this one, with good reason as well. Losing captain Woolford and inspirational kiwi Ruben Wiki puts them on the backfoot before stepping onto the field. Canberra highlight the reason I believe we do not need a TOP 8...but that is a different thread.
The Stuart led Roosters are a footballing maching when on song. The players will be "up" for this one and I see a real lopsided affair with Freddie, Finch and Wing cutting the hapless Raiders to pieces working off the dominant pack headed by Ricko, Morley and Fitzgibbon.
Key: Not letting their 'win at all costs' mindset change against the lowly ranked Raiders. If the Roosters think they have to turnup just to win this, they will be in for a rude shock. If they turnup with the 'win at all costs' attitude as expected, Canberra will not get close.
Sydney City 12+.
