Match Preview

With Walters now guiding the club's fortunes and Reece Walsh the new No.1 gun at Red Hill, the Broncos have given themselves a huge chance of finishing on top for the first time since 2000.

They went on to win the premiership that season so the omens are good for a Brisbane side that has won seven of its last eight and racked up 112 points across the past three weeks in disposing of the Roosters, Rabbitohs and Bulldogs.

Penrith are on the cusp on an elusive and rare three-peat with many asking the question of just who can stop them in September as the finals run begins to heat up.

Melbourne will put their hand up and say they can but their inconsistency this season has been uncharacteristic for a Craig Bellamy side despite them well-placed in the top eight after 22 rounds. 

Both these sides only met a month ago at Marvel Stadium with the Panthers - minus Nathan Cleary - running down a Storm side who shot out to a 14-0 lead early. 

The 22-13 victory in front of their home fans ended a four-game losing streak and breathed new life into a season that was threatening to slip away from the men from the glitter strip.

With games against the Warriors, Sharks, Panthers, Storm and Bulldogs to come, sneaking into the finals will be no easy task, but the Titans know they have the firepower to score points provided they can keep their defence in order.

The Roosters sit four points outside the top eight going into Round 23 and would need to win at least four of their final five matches to give themselves any hope of continuing their six-year finals streak. 

Trent Robinson's side were well-beaten by the Broncos last start and will be up against a Sea Eagles outfit who got the job done in Daly Cherry-Evans' 300th NRL match to make it three wins in their last four games.

Both these sides only met a month ago with the match coming down to the wire for an 18-16 victory to the Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park. 

However, the side did manage to show what they can do in the final 15 minutes of the match where they scored three late tries, but it was a case of much too little, much too late.

The Cowboys however recorded another strong win - their sixth in a row - against Parramatta to move into the top eight and will be keen to keep their streak going in this week's Queensland derby.

However, they will be without the strike of Jeremiah Nanai, who suffered a high-grade AC joint injury in the win against the Eels.

Canterbury have faced a significant injury crisis this season, with marquee signing Viliame Kikau ruled out since Round 4 and Kangaroos winger Josh Addo-Carr chalking just 10 games for the Belmore club. 

However, with a number of troops expected back this week, Cameron Ciraldo's side will be out to restore some pride after a so far disappointing season has them languishing in 16th position on the ladder. 

Penrith celebrated the return of Nathan Cleary with a comfortable 44-18 victory over the Bulldogs in Round 21 but across town in the Sutherland Shire was where the Sharks' season was put on the ropes by the Sea Eagles.

After winning three-straight and being well-placed for a top four finish last month, back-to-back losses has suddenly put Craig Fitzgibbon's side in a delicate spot on the ladder with rival clubs looking to leapfrog them. 

St George Illawarra secured a crucial two points against Wests Tigers which should all but help them avoid any thought of a wooden spoon at the club while the Sea Eagles survived a scare in Cronulla to stay within reach of the top eight.

Every week presents a new narrative for the Dragons ahead of Shane Flanagan's takeover next season and for the time being it seems winning after a bye week has help settling things down for the Red V. 

Newcastle's impressive victory over the Storm moved them to within one point of the top eight, filling the Knights faithful with hope that a return to the finals is a very real possibility.

With Kalyn Ponga in supreme form and their forwards rumbling through the middle of the ruck, Newcastle have piled on 126 points in the past three games to take their points differential into positive territory at +42.

The Storm were favoured to beat Newcastle on Saturday but were blown out of the water by a Knights team that has turned the corner big time in the past month.

The loss pushed Melbourne down one spot to fourth, and with the Raiders, Sharks and resurgent Cowboys hot on their hammer, Craig Bellamy's men need to make a statement in the next fortnight against Parramatta and Penrith.