Rugby league fans will be in for a treat over the second half of Round 21 with plenty of high-quality football on offer.

A clash between two heavy premiership contenders will take place on Saturday night as the Cowboys look to press their claims for back-to-back titles when they host favourites the Storm.

Click here for Part 1 of Riley’s Round 21 preview.

Sunday afternoon takes us to Sydney where the Rabbitohs and Raiders will go head-to-head before the Sea Eagles hope to continue their winning streak against the Knights.

Then, the round will wrap up with Titans versus Sharks as Neil Henry’s men look to end Cronulla’s record winning streak of 15 games in a row.

North Queensland Cowboys versus Melbourne Storm
Saturday, 30 July, 7:30pm (AEST) at 1300Smiles Stadium
After a massive win over the Bulldogs last week, the Cowboys are now seen as a serious premiership threat and will have a chance to prove it when they host the Storm in Townsville.

The reigning premiers have suffered a massive setback however with Johnathan Thurston suffering a hamstring injury.

Paul Green remains optimistic and says the skipper and future immortal could be a late inclusion however, if he doesn’t run out Ray Thompson will take his place at halfback, partnering Michael Morgan who made his return from injury against Canterbury.

It will no doubt be interesting to see the battle in the middle of the park. If any team can beat the Storm in the forwards department it is North Queensland with the brute force of Jason Taumalolo, James Tamou, Matthew Scott and more.

Melbourne came away with a 26-10 victory over the Roosters, a week after accounting for the Knights 20-16.

Although they haven’t played a top-eight opponent since Round 17, they will be ready to go as they target a minor premiership currently sitting hot on the heels of the whitehot Sharks.

They have lost their last two at Kirwan however, since coming into the competition back in 1998 they have defeated the Cowboys on 21 occasions from 31 meetings.

Last time they met, Cooper Cronk kicked the winning field goal to give his side a 15-14 victory in what was the opening match of a double-header at Suncorp Stadium.

Prediction
Even though JT will be absent, the Cowboys will prove to be no easy beat. However, the Storm should come away with a win away from home.

Storm by 6.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:30pm (AEST)
Venue: 1300Smiles Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Storm defeated Cowboys 15-14 (Round 10, 2016)
Head-to-head: 31 played – Cowboys 10, Storm 21
Cowboys last three games: 36-0 versus Bulldogs, 12-26 versus Raiders, 20-0 versus Rabbitohs
Storm last three games: 26-10 versus Roosters, 20-16 versus Knights, 48-6 versus Broncos

North Queensland Cowboys
1. Lachlan Coote, 2. Javid Bowen, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Kane Linnett, 5. Antonio Winterstein, 6. Michael Morgan, 7. Ray Thompson, 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

Melbourne Storm
1. Cameron Munster, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Cheyse Blair, 5. Marika Koroibete, 6. Blake Green, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Felise Kaufusi, 11. Kevin Proctor, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Kenneath Bromwich, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Matt White, 17. Young Tonumaipea

South Sydney Rabbitohs versus Canberra Raiders
Sunday, 31 July, 2pm (AEST) at ANZ Stadium
The Rabbitohs are in damage control and matters could become even worse at Redfern if the Raiders are to beat them on Sunday afternoon.

Souths have hit a serious form slump having been unable to get a win since way back in round 11 when they defeated the Dragons 34-24.

They will receive a huge boost with the return of rookie sensation Zane Musgrove in his first appearance for the cardinal and myrtle back in Round 1.

Musgrove’s return will certainly add plenty of flair to a forward pack that has been somewhat flat.

The Junior Kiwi comes into a 20-man squad named by Michael Maguire alongside Damien Cook, Jack Gosiewski and Michael Oldfield who takes the place of Joe Burgess on the wing.

The Bunnies’ season has been rendered null and void with nothing left to play for, and are still without skipper Greg Inglis.

He will be missed as they come up against a talented Raiders backline.

Joseph Leilua and Jordan Rapana continue to set the world on fire while Jarrod Croker is continuing to etch his name into the history books with 14 tries to his name so far in 2016.

Croker proved the difference last week against the Warriors, scoring the match-winning try in golden point to book a 26-22 victory in the nation’s capital.

Ricky Stuart’s troops won’t have to do much different having set their own style of football in 2016 however, a win will be crucial considering they take on the top two in the Sharks and Storm over the next fortnight.

In 22 meetings since 1998, the two clubs cannot be split with eleven wins a piece.

Their most recent encounter came at Barlow Park in Cairns during Round 8 last year. It saw the Raiders come away with a 30-22 victory in front of an 8,713-strong crowd.

Prediction
Canberra will hold their place inside the top four with a big win at Homebush.

Raiders by 18.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 2pm (AEST)
Venue: ANZ Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Raiders defeated Rabbitohs 30-22 (Round 8, 2015)
Head-to-head: 22 played – Rabbitohs 11, Raiders 11
Rabbitohs last three games: 12-20 versus Sea Eagles, 10-30 versus Broncos, 0-20 versus Cowboys
Raiders last three games: 26-22 versus Warriors, 26-12 versus Cowboys, 29-25 versus Knights

South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Cody Walker, 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Bryson Goodwin, 4. Aaron Gray, 5. Michael Oldfield, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. George Burgess, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Zane Musgrove, 11. John Sutton (c), 12. Kyle Turner, 13. Sam Burgess
Interchange: 14. Jason Clark, 15. Nathan Brown, 16. Angus Crichton, 17. Thomas Burgess, 18. David Tyrrell, 19. Damien Cook, 20. Jack Gosiewski

Canberra Raiders
1. Jack Wighton, 2. Edrick 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. Shaun Fensom
Interchange: 14. Adam Clydsdale, 15. Luke Bateman, 16. Iosia Soliola, 17. Joseph Tapine

Manly Sea Eagles versus Newcastle Knights
Sunday, 31 July, 4pm (AEST) at Brookvale Oval
The Sea Eagles have hit a rare patch of form at just the right time of the season and will prove a threat when they host the Knights at Brookie.

Manly have now won their last three matches in a row and look likely to stretch it to four with a win over Newcastle after they came just one loss away from a club record eight losses in a row.

The Silvertails dismantled Souths on Monday night 20-12 however, they remain at long odds to qualify for finals football.

Jamie Lyon stood up against the Bunnies last week and will need to pull off similar effort against the Novocastrians.

Coach Trent Barrett has stuck with his side with Lyon once again pulling on the no. 6 jersey due to the absence of Dylan Walker.

He will face off against Trent Hodkinson in the halves who has a huge challenge ahead of him and will link up with Jack Cogger.

Jarrod Mullen has suffered yet another set back picking up a hamstring injury while Mitchell Barnett has copped a suspension.

Cogger takes Mullen’s place in the halves while Barnett is replaced by David Bhana.

Meanwhile Daniel Saifiti has been named on a six-man bench alongside Pat Mata’utia who makes way for Jake Mamo.

In 26 meetings since 1998, the Sea Eagles have got 14 wins to the Knights’ twelve.

They last met in Round 8 when Manly dismantled Nathan Brown’s troops 26-10.

The Novocastrians have managed only two wins from nine matches at Brookvale.

Prediction
Manly will get their fourth win on the trot with a convincing win at Fortress Brookvale.

Sea Eagles by 12.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 4pm (AEST)
Venue: Brookvale Oval
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Sea Eagles defeated Knights 26-10 (Round 8, 2016)
Head-to-head: 26 played – Sea Eagles 14, Knights 12
Sea Eagles last three games: 20-12 versus Rabbitohs, 15-14 versus Warriors, 36-6 versus Dragons
Knights last three games: 4-36 versus Sharks, 16-20 versus Storm, 25-29 versus Raiders

Manly Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Lewis Brown, 4. Brayden Wiliame, 5. Matthew Wright, 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. Blake Leary, 15. Josh Starling, 16. Nate Myles, 17. Siosaia Vave, 22. Addin Fonua-Blake

Newcastle Knights
1. Jake Mamo, 2. Nathan Ross, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Peter Mata’utia, 5. Brendan Elliot, 6. Jack Cogger, 7. Trent Hodkinson (c), 8. Josh King, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Korbin Sims, 11. David Bhana, 12. Pauli Pauli, 13. Jeremy Smith (c)
Interchange: 14. Chris Adams, 15. Sam Mataora, 16. Daniel Saifiti, 17. Jacob Saifiti, 18. Pat Mata’utia, 18. Pat Mata’utia, 19. Mickey Paea

Gold Coast Titans versus Cronulla Sharks
Monday, 1 August, 7pm (AEST) at Cbus Super Stadium
The Gold Coast will be treated with a clash for the ages as the Titans prepare to take on the Sharks in Monday night football.

The Titans are shaping nicely for their first finals appearance since 2010 as September nears.

Ashley Taylor and Tyrone Roberts are playing well in the halves while their forward pack are rolling nicely up the middle with some big efforts from the likes of Agnatius Paasi.

Neil Henry has made a number of changes in a bid to stop the Sharks in their tracks with Greg Bird coming back into the side pushing Paasi back to the bench and skipper Nathan Friend out of the 17.

Cronulla have won 15 games in a row and currently sit two games shy of equalling the Bulldogs of 2002 in second on 17 wins.

They could go as far as equalling the 1975 Roosters’ 19 victories in a row if they can use their meeting with the Titans as a springboard ahead of another tough fixture against the Raiders.

Shane Flanagan has made no changes to his side that beat the Knights 36-4 however, they will need to ensure they limit the influence of Ashley Taylor with his flamboyance and level-headedness the key for the Gold Coast in overthrowing the ladder leaders.

In 14 meetings since 2007, the Titans have won six games while the Sharkies have been victorious eight times.

They last met in round 6 when the Gold Coast went down 25-20 at Shark Park.

The boys from the Shire have won two of four outings at Robina.

Prediction
The Gold Coast will pull off an upset and end the Sharks’ winning streak.

Titans by 4.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7pm (AEST)
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Sharks defeated Titans 25-20 (Round 6, 2016)
Head-to-head: 14 played – Titans 6, Sharks 8
Titans last three games: 34-14 versus Eels, 32-12 versus Dragons, 18-27 versus Warriors
Sharks last three games: 36-4 versus Knights, 32-20 versus Roosters, 26-10 versus Panthers

Gold Coast Titans
1. David Mead, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Josh Hoffman, 4. Konileti Hurrell, 5. Nene Macdonald, 6. Tyrone Roberts, 7. Ashley Taylor, 8. Luke Douglas, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Ryan James, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Chris McQueen, 13. Greg Bird (c)
Interchange: 14. Eddy Pettybourne, 15. Leivaha Pulu, 16. Agnatius Paasi, 18. Ryan Simpkins, 19. Nathaniel Peteru

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. Joseph Paulo, 15. Chris Heighington, 16. Matt Prior, 17. Jayson Bukuya

Roarers, which game are you most looking forward to in Round 21?

In case you missed it, you can read Part 1 of my Round 21 preview here. (LINK PLEASE)

You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew.