A near full round of NRL returns this week with several tantalising matchups to keep you going all weekend.
Friday Night, AAMI Park
The Storm return to AAMI Park after 38 days away from their home ground to take on the team holding up the rest of the ladder in the Newcastle Knights.
The Knights have shown signs of improvement in 2017, however, have been unable to consistently string together performances to challenge teams on a weekly basis.
They'll welcome back Nathan Ross into the lineup after he was dropped following comments about his contract situation while Dane Gagai has been named to back up from Origin duty.
Josh Starling also returns for the Knights, as he'll take on the returning Jesse Bromwich, who will be out to make a statement after a club-imposed suspension following the illicit drugs saga while in the New Zealand camp.
The Storm are heavily-backed favourites, and rightly so, however with the tempting option for Craig Bellamy to rest one or all three of his Origin stars, that might open the door for the Knights.
Billy Slater will be fresh, however, and ready to prove to Queensland selectors what they missed out on and should lead the Storm to victory, with or without their Maroon representatives.
Storm by 14.
ANZ Stadium, Friday Night
Both sides head into this crucial Friday night clash on the back of a pair of good wins last weekend.
The Eels rode a strong first half performance to victory over Souths, with new recruit Mitchell Moses improving in his second hit out with the club.
His ball-playing ability was on show last week which saw him provide an early try assist before doubling that effort later in the half. He has settled well into the blue and gold jersey, with his combination with Corey Norman a tantalising prospect for Eels supporters when the five-eighth returns. Bevan French made a successful return last week and will look to build on his form as the Eels look to push into the top eight.
The Warriors comfortably took care of a depleted Broncos line up last week and will look to add some consistency to their season this week with a strong performance away from home. Jacob Lillyman has been named to back up from Origin while Solomone Kata returns to the centres in a side which saw Shaun Johnson bust through an impressive seven tackles last week in a best on ground performance.
The Warriors will need more of that from Johnson if they are to remain a through in season 2017.
At 6-6, the Eels are just a couple of wins away from cementing a place in the top eight and as they remain one of the few teams to be unaffected by Origin duties, we can see them getting the points this week in another inconsistent performance from the boys across the ditch.
Eels by 8.
ANZ Stadium, Saturday Afternoon
The Dragons will be looking to recapture the form that saw them surprise everyone in the early part of the season with a win on Saturday afternoon.
Injuries to Josh Dugan and Gareth Widdop slowed them down somewhat, but with the pair - along with Tyson Frizell - named on an extended interchange and given every chance to return (the latter following Origin), it makes this Dragons side that much more formidable.
Should Widdop return, he'll take on Tigers debutant Tuimoala Lolohea who crossed over from the Warriors last week. Lolohea wasn't given the chance to prove himself following Keiran Foran's arrival and will be looking for a fresh start at Concord.
James Tedesco and Aaron Woods have been named to start while Chris Lawrence will also line up in the second row.
With or without their stars, the Dragons defence has been very impressive in the opening half of 2017, and it will remain a key factor for them in their bid to remain in the top four.
Dragons by 6.
Allianz Stadium, Saturday Night
Arguably the game of the round takes place on Saturday night the Roosters and the Broncos, separated by just a points differential of 14 on the ladder, go head to head.
The Roosters were very impressive last week without their Origin stars and nearly pulled off an upset against Canberra while the Broncos went down gallantly against the Warriors.
Mitchell Pearce and Luke Keary coming up against Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt makes for must-see viewing as the two Origin halves will clash for the second time in four days.
UPDATE: Mitchell Pearce and Anthony Milford will BOTH miss the match due to concussion.
Andrew McCullough has been named following a concussion a fortnight ago, while all 11 of the team's Origin representatives have also been named to back up.
Sydney are favourites with the bookies despite getting thumped against the Broncos at Suncorp in Round 6. On that occasion, the Broncos ran in five first half tries, with their big men carrying the brunt of the work by running straight through the middle of the Roosters pack.
The tri-colours have been a much-improved side since then, however, the Broncos had won six in a row prior to the last week and will be looking to regain that form.
This certainly isn't an easy one to pick, but we'll back Wayne Bennett's men to reclaim that purple patch of form.
Broncos by 2.
1300SMILES Stadium, Saturday Night.
The Titans head north to take on their Queensland rivals this week as they come off the back of last week's bye.
Prior to that, they displayed their inconsistent season to full effect with a thrilling, season-defining win over the Storm before folding like a pack of cards against the Sea Eagles.
Jarryd Hayne and hooker Nathan Peats have been named to take on a Cowboys side who may still be without inspirational captain Johnathan Thurston, whose shoulder is still giving him trouble.
UPDATE: Nathan Peats will miss the match due to a cork sustained during Origin.
He's been named in the number 19 jersey, with the Cowboys desperately needing their star halfback to give them some stability and creativity in attack. While they still sit in the top eight, a loss could see them drop down a severely congested table.
Joe Greenwood and Chris McQueen will need to curb the impact of Jason Taumalolo and Coen Hess if they're to have a chance, however even without JT, we expect the Cowboys to do just enough to overcome the unpredictable Titans.
Cowboys by 6.
Lottoland, Sunday Afternoon
Brookvale has traditionally been a happy home for the Sea Eagles over the past decade, however, this season, it had been quite the opposite.
They'll look to overturn their 1-5 record against a Raiders side looking to build on two successive wins in recent weeks.
While not overly convincing last week, they did enough to get over the line against the Roosters and will welcome back Josh Papalii from Origin duty this week.
Their edge combination of Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana is getting stronger from week to week and will need to be strong this week against Jorge Taufua and Dylan Walker.
Manly have a big opportunity to take another step up the ladder this week and will do so on the back of Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic once again. The latter, in particular, has starred in 2017 and the Sea Eagles will need him to continue that form in the second half of the season as they push for a top-four berth.
The bookies have this one split right down the middle, but we'll back the Raiders to steal one away from home in a high-scoring affair.
Raiders by 4.
ANZ Stadium, Sunday Afternoon
The most intriguing matchup of the round is saved until last as the stumbling Bulldogs take on the resurging Panthers.
The Panthers have won two in a row and desperately need to build on that momentum in a bid to surge into the top eight. There are several reshuffles in the line up this week, with Dylan Edwards coming into the side at fullback which sees Matt Moylan slot into the halves (following Bryce Cartwright's injury) to pair with Nathan Cleary. Josh Mansour also comes into the side to strengthen their edge while Mitch Rein comes in for his first game as a Panther.
These changes could prove a handful for the Bulldogs who have lost their last three matches, who welcome back their Origin players in Brett Morris, David Klemmer and Josh Jackson.
A heart-breaking loss last week demoted them to 11th on the ladder - below the Panthers - and Des Hasler will no doubt be preparing them for a more all round performance this week. James Graham has been named despite not finishing the game last week.
The Panthers start as the favourite with both sides desperate for a win with a tough run ahead in the coming weeks.
The changes the Panthers have made could bring about their downfall but we'll back them in to get the points.
Panthers by 4.