The old "sure thing" curse struck again on the weekend, with the Roosters losing the absolutely unlosable game against the struggling Tigers. Wests fans will tell you that each of their successive losses only brought them one game nearer to a win, but no one expected it to come against the ladder-leading Roosters. I did tip the Sea Eagles as the roughie of the round against the Knights, so there was that.
Tipping all the winners each weekend is near impossible, so we'll give you some extra help with three standout games.
The sure thing
Gold Coast Titans vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs, Cbus Super Stadium, Saturday August 29, 3pm (AEST)
Gold Coast started strongly against the Sharks last week, until their usual errors and defensive lapses let Cronulla back into the contest. The Rabbitohs were very competitive against New Zealand until the Warriors really clicked and ran away with a convincing win.
The Rabbitohs are not entirely sure of a place in the finals just yet, and can't afford to let the two point from this game slip. With Latrell Mitchell's return looming, they are building nicely towards a solid tilt at the finals.
As long as the Gold Coast strip doesn't distract them too severely, the Rabbitohs should win this well, with former Titans star forward David Fifita leading the way.
Round 26 sure thing: Rabbitohs
The toss of the coin
Brisbane Broncos vs. Melbourne Storm, Suncorp Stadium, Thursday August 27, 7:50pm (AEST)
The Broncos looked like stumbling through the final rounds of a very disappointing season, without causing too much trouble to their opposition. But the reigning premiers, who are set to miss the 2026 finals, were lowering themselves dangerously close to the wooden spoon. In the club's proud history they have collected the spoon only once before -- during the COVID-marred 2020 season.
On their way to another defeat, this time at the hands of the Raiders, they suddenly snapped out of their lethargy and started throwing the ball around. They managed to cut down the Raiders in the final 15 minutes of the game. Sweet Caroline! The Broncos were back!
The Storm, meanwhile, were playing for their survival in the hunt for a Top 8 finish. They unfortunately met the Panthers, who remain one of this season's premiership favourites. Falling well behind in the first half, they managed to fight their way back into the game before ultimately falling short.
This game really could go either way, depending on which team shows up with the right mental energy. Will the Broncos clock off again, or are they set to find the pride they need to finish the season to the best of their ability? One thing you know for certain, a Storm team will never turn up looking to cruise to an easy defeat. It is not in the Storm's DNA to clock off, and, with Jahrome Hughes back at halfback, I'm tipping them to beat the Broncos.
Toss of the coin game winner: Storm
The roughie
Sydney Roosters vs. Dolphins, Allianz Stadium, Saturday August 29th, 5:30pm (AEST)
The Roosters had an off evening against the Tigers last week and lost their spot at the top of the ladder because of it. They will be very keen to win this and remain in the hunt for the minor premiership.
The Dolphins allowed Parramatta to start well, before finding their feet and finishing all over the top of the Eels. When they are switched on, they are incredibly entertaining and very hard for any defence to stop.
The Roosters are favoured to bounce back and win this one at home. But if the Dolphins get their act together for the full 80 minutes, they could spring an upset as they head towards the first finals appearance in the club's short history. A win here will prove that they deserve to mix it with the very best in the run towards October.
Round 26 roughie: Dolphins