Three of the NRL’s top four will be on display in the second half of Round 17 with plenty of exciting games ahead.

The Sharks takes on the Eels at Woolooware in a first versus fourth all-Sydney battle.

Then the Knights head to the nation’s capital to play the Raiders while the Rabbitohs will play a ‘home’ game against the Cowboys in Cairns, deep in their opponent’s territory.

The round will end with a Sydney derby as the Sea Eagles look to end their run of losses when they host the Dragons.

Cronulla Sharks versus Parramatta Eels
Saturday, 2 July, 7:30pm (AEST) at Southern Cross Group Stadium

There has been plenty of build-up to Saturday night’s top four clash between the Sharks and the Eels, however it has been centred on a single player.

Parramatta star Semi Radradra is expected to suit up on Saturday despite having not returned from a short trip to Fiji.

Speculation is mounting the Australian international is set to walk out on the Eels and take up a lucrative deal with French Top 14 club Bordeaux, similar to the Sonny Bill Williams incident at the Bulldogs in 2008.

The Eels have a tough task ahead of them as they prepare to tackle the high-flying Sharks who are on a club-record winning streak of 11 matches.

However, the Eels are in hot form as well having won their last three matches.

It will truly be a battle of the forwards with both sides boasting two of the most formidable packs in the game.

Two massive workhorses Wade Graham and Manu Ma’u will go head-to-head while hooking veterans Michael Ennis and Isaac De Gois will have a battle of their own.

There are positional match-ups right across the park including Ben Barba and Michael Gordon at fullback, James Maloney and Corey Norman in the halves, and Radradra versus Valentine Holmes on the wing.

It shapes as one of the best games of the round although it should go the way of the home side.

In 28 meetings since 1998, the Sharks have won 13 matches against the Eels while the blue and gold have come away as victors on 15 occasions.

Their last meeting came in Round 25 last year when the Sharks held off Parramatta to come away with a 35-28 win at Pirtek Stadium.

Prediction
Cronulla will continue their march towards a minor premiership with a win at home.

Sharks by ten.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Southern Cross Group Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Sharks defeated Eels 35-28 (Round 25, 2015)
Head-to-head: 28 played – Sharks 13, Eels 15
Sharks last three games: 19-18 versus Warriors, 13-10 versus Cowboys, 20-18 versus Bulldogs
Eels last three games: 30-12 versus Rabbitohs, 22-12 versus Titans, 20-18 versus Knights

Cronulla Sharks
1. Ben Barba, 2. Sosaia Feki, 3. Jack Bird, 4. Gerard Beale, 5. Valentine Holmes, 6. James Maloney, 7. Chad Townsend, 8. Andrew Fifita, 9. Michael Ennis, 10. Sam Tagataese, 11. Luke Lewis, 12. Wade Graham, 13. Paul Gallen (c)

Interchange: 14. Ricky Leutele, 15. Chris Heighington, 16. Matt Prior, 17. Jayson Bukuya, 18. Joseph Paulo

Parramatta Eels
1. Michael Gordon, 2. Semi Radradra, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Clinton Gutherson, 5. Bevan French, 6. Kenny Edwards, 7. Corey Norman, 8. Daniel Alvaro, 9. Isaac De Gois, 10. Danny Wicks, 11. Manu Ma’u, 12. Beau Scott (c), 13. Tepai Moeroa

Interchange: 14. Cody Nelson, 15. Peni Terepo, 16. David Gower, 17. Rory O’Brien

Canberra Raiders versus Newcastle Knights
Sunday, 3 July, 2pm (AEST) at GIO Stadium

The Newcastle Knights may have bowed out of the premiership race but that won’t stop them when they play the Canberra Raiders in the hunt for only their second win of 2016.

The Novocastrians have struggled this season with their inexperienced side unable to match it with the big stars that make up the remaining 15 teams in the NRL.

Nathan Brown has long-term plans for the club as he hopes to build a young, loyal team who in the future could become a premiership force.

He will have plenty of stars on show with the likes of Dane Gagai, Jack Cogger and the Saifiti brothers, Daniel and Jacob, to run out on Sunday.

Their forward pack will need to step up against a much more dominant Raiders side while Trent Hodkinson must use his experience to guide his team.

It will be very tough for the visitors with Aidan Sezer looking to lead the Raiders around the park while Josh Papalii and Ricky Stuart’s forwards will be ready to rip into their opposition.

Last time the Raiders and Knights met, 90 minutes of football couldn’t separate them with the scores all tied up at 24-24 at the conclusion of golden point extra-time in Newcastle.

It was the second draw between the two regional clubs in 33 meetings since 1998. Of those fixtures the Raiders have won 16 while Newcastle sit just one behind with 15 wins.

Prediction
Canberra will hold on for a win at home and add to the Knights’ season from hell.

Raiders by 18.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 2pm (AEST)
Venue: GIO Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Knights drew Raiders 24-24 (Round 3, 2016)
Head-to-head: 33 played – Raiders 16, Knights 15, 2 Drawn
Raiders last three games: 30-22 versus Titans, 18-26 versus Broncos, 30-18 versus Sea Eagles
Knights last three games: 18-30 versus Dragons, 14-50 versus Warriors, 46-16 versus Cowboys

Canberra Raiders
1. Jack Wighton, 2. Brenko Lee, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Junior Paulo, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Shannon Boyd, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Luke Bateman

Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste, 15. Iosia Soliola, 16. Paul Vaughan, 17. Joseph Tapine

Newcastle Knights
1. Dane Gagai, 2. Nathan Ross, 3. Sione Mata’utia, 4. Peter Mata’utia, 5. Brendan Elliot, 6. Jack Cogger, 7. Trent Hodkinson (c), 8. Sam Mataora, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Korbin Sims, 11. Jacob Saifiti, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Jeremy Smith (c)

Interchange: 14. Tyler Randell, 15. Robbie Rochow, 16. Daniel Saifiti, 17. Mickey Paea, 22. Josh King

South Sydney Rabbitohs versus North Queensland Cowboys
Sunday, 3 July, 4pm (AEST) at Barlow Park

The Rabbitohs and Cowboys head to Far North Queensland for Sunday afternoon football at Barlow Park.

South Sydney have been taking games to Cairns since 2013, regularly attracting big crowds.

Of their three matches in the regional city, they have won two and will be hoping to get another win as their premiership hopes begin to diminish.

A victory would prove vital to the cardinal and myrtle’s season with the team currently sitting in 13th position, two points behind the Wests Tigers.

Michael Maguire’s men are out of form and came close to getting a win last week, however the siren halted their chances giving them a 28-26 loss at the hands of the Penrith Panthers.

Sam Burgess led an inspired effort from the Rabbitohs and will need to put in a similar performance against North Queensland.

They will receive a huge boost with Adam Reynolds returning. It sees Cody Walker go to fullback with Ed Murphy dropping out of the side while Jack Gosiewski replaces Patrice Siolo on the bench.

The reigning premiers have never played a premiership match at Barlow Park and currently sit well in front of the Rabbitohs in third place.

There is a large gap between second and third position, however, with the Cowboys needing to fill that gap if they are to contend for the minor premiership.

A loss could see them fall as far as sixth place if results go against Paul Green’s troops.

Jason Taumalolo was huge last week as they fended off the Sea Eagles 30-26 with North Queensland holding an advantage over the Rabbitohs in the size and experience of their forward pack.

In 27 meetings since 1998, the Cowboys have won 14 matches against the Rabbitohs while Souths have come out on top 12 times. One match between the two has been drawn.

They clashed earlier in the year with a Round 7 meeting which saw North Queensland prevail 44-18 in Townsville.

Prediction
Overwhelming support from the Cairns locals will get the Cowboys over the line.

Cowboys by 18.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 4pm (AEST)
Venue: Barlow Park
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Cowboys defeated Rabbitohs 44-18 (Round 7, 2016)
Head-to-head: 27 played – Rabbitohs 12, Cowboys 14, 1 Drawn
Rabbitohs last three games: 26-28 versus Panthers, 12-30 versus Eels, 14-30 versus Wests Tigers
Cowboys last three games: 30-26 versus Sea Eagles, 10-13 versus Sharks, 46-16 versus Knights

South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Cody Walker, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Greg Inglis (c), 4. Aaron Gray, 5. Joe Burgess, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Thomas Burgess, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Nathan Brown, 11. John Sutton, 12. Kyle Turner, 13. Sam Burgess

Interchange: 14. Tautalatasi Tasi, 15. Jason Clark, 16. Jack Gosiewski, 17. David Tyrrell

North Queensland Cowboys
1. Lachlan Coote, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Kane Linnett, 5. Antonio Winterstein, 6. Ray Thompson, 7. Johnathan Thurston (c), 8. Matthew Scott (c), 9. Jake Granville, 10. James Tamou, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Ethan Lowe, 13. Jason Taumalolo

Interchange: 14. Rory Kostjasyn, 15. John Asiata, 16. Scott Bolton, 17. Ben Hannant

Manly Sea Eagles versus St George Illawarra Dragons
Monday, 4 July, 7pm (AEST) at Brookvale Oval

The Sea Eagles are on track for their worst season in history having won just four games, losing their last seven matches.

They are now staring down their club record for most consecutive losses having previously gone eight matches without winning in 1950 and 1998-99.

Trent Barrett’s men will be hoping to avoid equalling that record after Daly Cherry-Evans made his return last week. They fell short of the third-placed Cowboys going down 30-26 in Townsville.

A victory would prove important for the Sea Eagles who need to win eight of their last nine matches to be any chance of making the finals. The Northern Beaches club have only missed out on September football once in the last 11 years.

The Dragons welcome back Tariq Sims after he was forced to sit out of last week’s 30-18 win over the Knights.

Sims comes onto the bench and will add plenty of starch to the Dragons’ forward pack which features State of Origin star Tyson Frizell. They are set to dominate Manly up front.

The Red V will command big metres down the middle of the park against an abysmal Silvertails pack while Josh Dugan will provide spark in the Dragons’ backline as he looks to warrant selection for State of Origin Game 3.

In 23 meetings since the joint venture was created in 1999, they have won 15 matches against the Sea Eagles with Manly taking the other eight.

Last time they met, the Dragons prevailed 12-4 in Round 4 last year. They have won five times from 11 outings at Brookvale Oval.

Prediction
Manly are due for a win and will be eager to get back in the winner’s circle at home.

Sea Eagles by four.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7pm (AEST)
Venue: Brookvale Oval
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Dragons defeated Sea Eagles 12-4 (Round 4, 2015)
Head-to-head: 23 played – Sea Eagles 8, Dragons 15
Sea Eagles last three games: 26-30 versus Cowboys, 10-30 versus Titans, 24-31 versus Panthers
Dragons last three games: 30-18 versus Knights, 20-10 versus Storm, 16-34 versus Bulldogs

Manly Sea Eagles
1. Brett Stewart, 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Tom Trbojevic, 4. Dylan Walker, 5. Brayden Wiliame, 6. Jamie Lyon (c), 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Darcy Lussick, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Nathan Green, 12. Jamie Buhrer, 13. Jake Trbojevic

Interchange: 14. Lewis Brown, 15. Josh Starling, 16. Addin Fonua-Blake, 17. Siosaia Vave, 18. Matthew Wright

St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Josh Dugan, 2. Kalifa Faifai Loa, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Timoteo Lafai, 5. Jason Nightingale, 6. Gareth Widdop (c), 7. Benji Marshall 8. Leeson Ah Mau, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Russell Packer, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Joel Thompson, 13. Jack de Belin

Interchange: 14. Tariq Sims, 15. Jacob Host, 16. Dunamis Lui, 17. Jake Marketo, 18. Will Matthews

Roarers, which game are you most looking forward to in Round 17?

In case you missed it, you can read Part 1 of my Round 17 preview here.

You can can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew