Round 21

The loss of star playmakers Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai leaves a huge hole for Penrith and Ricky Stuart's men get a golden opportunity to knock off the tallest poppy and announce themselves as genuine contenders.

There's plenty like about the way the Raiders are playing their footy at the moment but they will be aware they need to go up another couple of notches to beat a side that has only two games all season.

With matches against heavyweights the Eels, Panthers, Cowboys and Roosters to come after this weekend's assignment the Rabbitohs can't afford to slip up  against a team that took them to the wire in Magic Round.

The Rabbitohs led 26-6 at half-time in that match at Suncorp Stadium but clocked off to concede four tries in 15 minutes and almost let the victory slip away.

Finals are out of the question for the Warriors but they'll happy play spoiler to any contenders who dare take them lightly.

The blue and golds are walking a little taller after upsetting the Panthers on Friday while Manly endured a tough night against the Roosters with seven key players missing the game for personal reasons.

When these sides met at CommBank Stadium in round 11 it was the Eels squeaking home 22-20, with Manly losing Tom Trbojevic for the season to a shoulder injury.

Des Hasler's men will be hoping for better luck on home soil as they look to avenge that defeat and get on a roll towards the finals.

A top-four finish will be the focus for Melbourne who face a tough run home with games against the Panthers, Broncos, Roosters and Eels after this weekend.

The Titans are out to restore pride after a horror season and if they are to rattle the Storm's cage much will depend on David Fifita and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui laying a foundation for AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell to work off.

Led by star five-eighth Luke Keary, who scored a try and laid on two of his side's five others, the Roosters put themselves within two points of the top four and with a chance of leapfrogging South Sydney into seventh place.

Roosters enforcer Victor Radley also played a starring role in the win after being forced from the field to have six stitches inserted in a cut above his left eye following a head clash with Jake Turpin and returning to inspire his team-mates.  

A shock loss to the Wests Tigers last start has Kevin Walters' men under pressure with the Storm and Eels level with the Broncos on 26 competition points going into round 21.

The Roosters are in eighth spot on points differential, slightly ahead of the Raiders who take on a depleted Penrith side. 

Trent Robinson labelled the side's attack in their recent win over the Sea Eagles as a bit rushed with the side coming up with 18 errors despite claiming the two points.