The competition continues to intensify, with results in Round 17 to play a major part in determining the fate of a number of teams.

The Roosters take on the Bulldogs, with the former hoping to keep their premiership hopes alive, while the latter are gunning for a spot inside the top four.

The Broncos and Storm then duke it out in a top-of-the-table clash on Friday night, before the Warriors and Titans compete for a spot inside the top eight.

Then the Wests Tigers take on the Panthers with State of Origin spots on the line, as Matt Moylan and James Tedesco go head-to-head for the New South Wales Blues No.1 jumper.

Sydney Roosters versus Canterbury Bulldogs
Thursday, 30 June, 7:50pm (AEST) at Allianz Stadium

The Roosters are coming off a bye and are hell bent on earning a win to get them out of 15th position and back on track to play September football.

They will be boosted by the returns of Blake Ferguson, Aidan Guerra and Mitchell Pearce, with the boys from Bondi missing only Boyd Cordner.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has failed to return to his best since returning from injury, while Mitchell Pearce has been unable to steer his team around the park since James Maloney left the club at the end of 2015.

This match will either show the tricolours can contend with the top teams or won’t come back in 2016.

The Bulldogs dominated the Broncos in a 40-14 victory last week, which cemented them as a serious premiership threat.

Brett Morris made an impact in his return from a double knee injury, bagging a hat trick, while the forward pack continued to work hard and make big metres in the middle of the field.

Canterbury’s dominant forwards will be helped by the return of Greg Eastwood in the back row, while Raymond Faitala-Mariner joins Asipeli Fine on a six-man extended bench.

Des Hasler’s men were near perfect last week, playing clinical and exciting footy, however inconsistency has riddled their season so far.

A win for the Dogs would give them their third in a row, as they warm up for the back end of the season.

Last time these two teams clashed the Bulldogs put on a show to win 32-20 in Round 11.

It was the 36th clash since 1998 between two of Sydney’s most successful sides this decade. Of those meetings, Canterbury have come home victorious 20 times to the Roosters’ 16.

Prediction
After stunning the Broncos last week, the Bulldogs will establish themselves as a serious premiership threat with a big win.

Bulldogs by 18.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: Allianz Stadium
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Bulldogs defeated Roosters 32-20 (Round 11, 2016)
Head-to-head: 36 played – Roosters 16, Bulldogs 20
Roosters last three games: 10-12 versus Warriors, 0-46 versus Storm, 32-18 versus Wests Tigers
Bulldogs last three games: 40-14 versus Broncos, 34-16 versus Dragons, 18-20 versus Sharks

Sydney Roosters
1. Latrell Mitchell, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Blake Ferguson, 4. Dale Copley, 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6. Jackson Hastings, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Jake Friend (c), 10. Dylan Napa, 11. Aidan Guerra, 12. Mitchell Aubusson, 13. Sio Siua Taukeiaho
Interchange: 14. Sam Moa, 15. Isaac Liu, 16. Kane Evans, 17. Connor Watson, 18. Ryan Matterson

Canterbury Bulldogs
1. Will Hopoate, 2. Brett Morris, 3. Curtis Rona, 4. Kerrod Holland, 5. Sam Perrett, 6. Josh Reynolds, 7. Moses Mbye, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Michael Lichaa, 10. James Graham, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Greg Eastwood, 13. David Klemmer
Interchange: 14. Sam Kasiano, 15. Tony Williams, 16. Danny Fualalo, 17. Craig Garvey, 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 20. Asipeli Fine

Brisbane Broncos versus Melbourne Storm
Friday, 1 July, 7:50pm (AEST) at Suncorp Stadium

After the Broncos’ 40-14 loss to the Bulldogs in the cold at ANZ Stadium, Alex Glenn and Andrew McCullough both return in a massive boost for the home side.

Joining the pair are Lachlan Maranta, who takes the place of Greg Eden on the wing, while Kodi Nikorima makes the switch to centre with Tom Opacic injured on debut.

Attacking opportunities will be limited for the Broncos, meaning their halves pairing of Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt will need to exploit any lapses in the Storm’s tight defensive line.

With both teams boasting formidable forward packs, Milford and the Broncos’ backs will play a major role if the Queensland side are to win and come back into premiership talks.

The Storm welcome back Curtis Scott, with the young centre named on an extended bench, however Nelson Asofa-Solomona has suffered a knee injury and is replaced by Matt White on the pine.

Melbourne need to put in an 80-minute performance after they just held on to defeat the Wests Tigers 29-20 last week, with the joint venture nearly pulling off a miracle comeback having been down 26-0 at halftime.

A win will prove crucial for the Storm, who are hoping to chase down the high-flying Sharks for first place.

The Broncos and Storm have met on 38 occasions since 1998, Brisbane winning 12 to Melbourne’s 25, with one match drawn.

Last year the two teams clashed twice – a 14-12 victory to the Broncos at AAMI Park in Round 15, and a 15-8 win going the way of the Storm at Suncorp Stadium in Round 26.

Prediction
The Broncos will press their premiership credentials.

Broncos by 4.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Storm defeated Broncos 15-8 (Round 26, 2015)
Head-to-head: 38 played – Broncos 12, Storm 25, 1 Drawn
Broncos last three games: 14-40 versus Bulldogs, 26-18 versus Raiders, 18-36 versus Warriors
Storm last three games: 29-20 versus Wests Tigers, 10-20 versus Dragons, 46-0 versus Roosters

Brisbane Broncos
1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Kodi Nikorima, 4. James Roberts, 5. Lachlan Maranta, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Josh McGuire, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Adam Blair, 11. Alex Glenn, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Corey Parker (c)
Interchange: 14. Jarrod Wallace, 15. Tevita Pangai Junior, 16. Jaydn Su’a, 17. Travis Waddell

Melbourne Storm
1. Young Tonumaipea, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Cheyse Blair, 4. Ryan Morgan, 5. Marika Koroibete, 6. Tohu Harris, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Jordan McLean, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Felise Kaufusi, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Matt White, 17. Ben Hampton, 18. Curtis Scott, 23. Slade Griffin

New Zealand Warriors versus Gold Coast Titans
Saturday, 2 July, 3pm (AEST) at Mount Smart Stadium

The Warriors have found form at the right time of the season, launching themselves back into finals contention.

The New Zealand franchise won three games on the trot, including a victory over the Broncos, before their streak was ended last week by ladder-leaders Cronulla in a 19-18 golden point battle.

David Fusitu’a continues to impress and has been handed the No.1 jumper, with Tuimoala Lolohea moving onto the wing at the expense of Jonathan Wright. Nathaniel Roache is on the bench.

It will be Simon Mannering’s 250th first-grade game, becoming just the second Warrior to do so, with club legend Stacey Jones having played 261 games in his 12-year career.

The Napier product had an outstanding match last week, making a massive 67 tackles. He currently sits in fifth place for total tackles in 2016, with 590, behind only Jake Friend, Mitch Rein, Elliott Whitehead and Cameron Smith.

The Titans were decimated by injury in last week’s 22-30 loss to the Raiders. However, Neil Henry is fortunate that only Nathan Davis will miss out this week.

Davis will be replaced by William Zillman, who returns at fullback from a foot injury.

Club captain Nathan Friend announced his retirement earlier in the week, and his team will be eager to push into the finals to send the only remaining foundation player out a winner.

The Gold Coast must limit the involvement of Shaun Johnson, with Ashley Taylor needing to return to the form that saw the club get off to a strong start in 2016.

The Warriors and Titans have played each other 18 times, with New Zealand winning 11 matches to the Titans’ seven.

In 2015 they first met in Round 8, with the Gold Coast victorious 32-28 in Auckland, while the Warriors came home with a 36-14 in Round 15.

The Titans have won three matches from eight outings at Mount Smart Stadium.

Prediction
New Zealand will be guided to victory by Simon Mannering.

Warriors by 12.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 3pm (AEST)
Venue: Mount Smart Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Warriors defeated Titans 36-14 (Round 15, 2015)
Head-to-head: 18 played – Warriors 11, Titans 7
Warriors last three games: 18-19 versus Sharks, 12-10 versus Roosters, 50-14 versus Knights
Titans last three games: 22-30 versus Raiders, 30-10 versus Sea Eagles, 12-22 versus Eels

New Zealand Warriors
1. David Fusitu’a, 2. Tuimoala Lolohea, 3. Blake Ayshford, 4. Solomone Kata, 5. Ken Maumalo, 6. Thomas Leuluai, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Jacob Lillyman, 9. Issac Luke, 10. Albert Vete, 11. Bodene Thompson, 12. Ryan Hoffman (c), 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Nathaniel Roache, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Ben Matulino, 17. Charlie Gubb

Gold Coast Titans
1. William Zillman, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Josh Hoffman, 4. Chris McQueen, 5. Nene Macdonald, 6. Tyrone Roberts, 7. Ashley Taylor, 8. Luke Douglas, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Ryan James, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Leivaha Pulu, 13. Greg Bird
Interchange: 14. Eddy Pettybourne, 15. Ryan Simpkins, 16. Agnatius Paasi, 17. Nathan Friend (c)

Wests Tigers versus Penrith Panthers
Saturday, 2 June, 5:30pm (AEST) at ANZ Stadium

Calls for James Tedesco to play State of Origin were renewed last Sunday, after the Tigers almost made an incredible comeback from 26-0 down in their 29-20 loss to the Melbourne Storm.

This Saturday’s match against the Panthers however will be the game Laurie Daley will be focused on, with the former Italian international going toe-to-toe with incumbent Blues fullback Matt Moylan.

The pair aren’t the only players in contention for an Origin jumper, with Tyrone Peachey, Trent Merrin and Bryce Cartwright all out to make a case for a place in Game 3.

Eyes will also be on the halves, as Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks take on 18-year-old Nathan Cleary, who has proven in recent weeks that age isn’t an excuse as he begins to blossom into a regular first grader after just three games in the NRL.

Cleary will once again play a huge role as the Panthers’ sole playmaker, with his halves partner Cartwright to act as an extra forward.

In 27 meetings since Balmain and Western Suburbs joined forces in 2000, the Wests Tigers have won 11 matches to Penrith’s 16.

They met just once in 2015, a Round 17 clash resulting in a 35-12 Panthers win.

Prediction
Penrith will continue their premiership charge with yet another win showcasing their young talent.

Panthers by 10.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 5:30pm (AEST)
Venue: ANZ Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Panthers defeated Wests Tigers 35-12 (Round 16, 2015)
Head-to-head: 27 played – Wests Tigers 11, Panthers 16
Wests Tigers last three games: 20-29 versus Storm, 30-14 versus Rabbitohs, 18-32 versus Roosters
Panthers last three games: 28-26 versus Rabbitohs, 31-24 versus Sea Eagles, 6-24 versus Storm

Wests Tigers
1. James Tedesco, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. Tim Simona, 4. Kevin Naiqama, 5. Jordan Rankin, 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Aaron Woods (c), 9. Dene Halatau, 10. Sauaso Sue, 11. Josh Aloiai, 12. Chris Lawrence, 13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange: 14. Tim Grant, 15. Ava Seumanufagai, 16. Robbie Farah, 17. Kyle Lovett, 18. JJ Felise

Penrith Panthers
1. Matt Moylan (c), 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Waqa Blake, 4. Tyrone Peachey, 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6. Bryce Cartwright, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Leilani Latu, 9. Peter Wallace, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 11. Isaah Yeo, 12. Trent Merrin, 13. Suaia Matagi
Interchange: 14. Sitaleki Akauola, 15. Jeremy Latimore, 16. Chris Grevsmuhl, 17. James Fisher-Harris, 20. Sam McKendry

Be sure to tune in tomorrow as I preview the remaining four fixtures of the round.

Roarers, who are you tipping in Round 17?

Follow Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew