The top eight is set as the competition continues to build toward its climax.

A number of tantalising match-ups are in store this week, with the Bulldogs hosting the Cowboys at their traditional home of Belmore Sports Ground, in a battle of fourth versus fifth for a spot inside the top four and a guaranteed second chance in the finals.

Then the ladder-leading Storm can secure the minor premiership when they take on the sixth-placed Broncos.

We then head to Brookvale Oval for Sea Eagles versus Raiders, with Manly playing for pride against a white-hot Canberra outfit.

The first half of the NRL’s penultimate round wraps up on the Gold Coast, in a seventh versus eighth battle, the Titans meeting with the Panthers.

Canterbury Bulldogs versus North Queensland Cowboys
Thursday, 25 August, 7:50pm (AEST) at Belmore Sports Ground

The Bulldogs head back to Belmore to get their season back on track when they meet the fifth-placed Cowboys.

The home side are without man mountain Sam Kasiano, who won’t play again until the finals after copping a suspension for kicking Brisbane stalwart Corey Parker in last week’s 20-10 loss.

The Dogs’ run toward the finals slowed severely in recent weeks, having only escaped with narrow wins over the likes of Manly and the Dragons following their rude loss to the Cowboys five weeks ago.

Since then, North Queensland have also hit a bump in the road, losing three on the trot before finally getting back in the winner’s circle last week, beating the Warriors 34-6 at home.

They will be boosted by the return of skipper Matthew Scott in the front row, at the expense of Ben Spina.

The battle in the middle of the park will be crucial with both teams fielding formidable packs.

The two sides have clashed on 29 occasions since 1998, with the Bulldogs win 17 of those meetings to the Cowboys’ 12. They last played in Round 20, when North Queensland shut out Canterbury 36-0 in Townsville.

The Bulldogs have a 1-2 record at Belmore over the last two years, and lost to the Raiders here earlier in the year.

Prediction
The Cowboys will be up against it but Canterbury will struggle having fallen on hard times in recent weeks.

Cowboys by 6.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: Belmore Sports Ground
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Cowboys defeated Bulldogs 36-0 (Round 20, 2016)
Head-to-head: 29 played – Bulldogs 17, Cowboys 12
Bulldogs last three games: 10-20 versus Broncos, 20-16 versus Sea Eagles, 28-14 versus Knights
Cowboys last three games: 34-6 versus Warriors, 10-22 versus Roosters, 14-26 versus Wests Tigers

Canterbury Bulldogs
1. Will Hopoate, 2. Brett Morris, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Kerrod Holland, 5. Curtis Rona, 6. Josh Reynolds, 7. Moses Mbye, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Michael Lichaa, 10. James Graham (c), 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Greg Eastwood, 13. David Klemmer
Interchange: 14. Danny Fualalo, 15. Tim Browne, 16. Tony Williams, 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

North Queensland Cowboys
1. Lachlan Coote, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Justin O’Neill, 4. Kane Linnett, 5. Antonio Winterstein, 6. Michael Morgan, 7. Johnathan Thurston (c), 8. Matthew Scott (c), 9. Ray Thompson, 10. James Tamou, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Ethan Lowe, 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Rory Kostjasyn, 15. Coen Hess, 16. Scott Bolton, 17. Patrick Kaufusi

Melbourne Storm versus Brisbane Broncos
Friday, 26 August, 7:50pm (AEST) at AAMI Park

Melbourne versus Brisbane. Craig Bellamy versus Wayne Bennett. Apprentice versus master. Cameron Smith versus Corey Parker.

When the Storm and Broncos clash, it is huge.

The minor premiership is on the line, with a win guaranteeing Melbourne will finish on top of the ladder for the first time since 2011.

Melbourne swiftly brushed off arch rivals Manly last week 38-18 at Brookvale, and face the Sharks next week to wrap up the season.

It comes after some tough games in recent weeks, with a loss to the Raiders and a golden-point scare against South Sydney.

Meanwhile, having defeated the Bulldogs 20-10 last week, Brisbane are beginning to show glimpses of their best as we head into the finals, particularly improving Anthony Milford.

Both sides are unchanged from last week, however the Broncos may be forced to make a change, with a decision on James Roberts to be made this week following an incident currently under investigation by the Integrity Unit.

In 39 meetings, the Storm have shrugged off the Broncos 26 times, Brisbane coming out on top on 12 occasions, while one match has been drawn.

They last met in Round 17, when Melbourne took a massive 48-6 victory at Lang Park.

Prediction
Melbourne will hang on to a win at home and bring the JJ Giltinan Shield to AFL heartland for just the second (official) time.

Storm by 6.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: AAMI Park
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Storm defeated Broncos 48-6 (Round 17, 2016)
Head-to-head: 39 played – Storm 26, Broncos 12, 1 Drawn
Storm last three games: 38-18 versus Sea Eagles, 8-22 versus Raiders, 15-14 versus Rabbitohs
Broncos last three games: 20-10 versus Bulldogs, 38-16 versus Eels, 12-8 versus Dragons

Melbourne Storm
1. Cameron Munster, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. William Chambers, 4. Ryan Morgan, 5. Marika Koroibete, 6. Blake Green, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Tim Glasby, 11. Kenneath Bromwich, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Felise Kaufusi, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 17. Ben Hampton

Brisbane Broncos
1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Tom Opacic, 4. James Roberts, 5. Jordan Kahu, 6. Anthony Milford, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Josh McGuire, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Adam Blair, 11. Sam Thaiday, 12. Matt Gillett, 13. Corey Parker (c)
Interchange: 14. Jarrod Wallace, 15. Tevita Pangai Junior, 16. Jai Arrow, 17. Alex Glenn

Manly Sea Eagles versus Canberra Raiders
Saturday, 27 August, 3pm (AEST) at Brookvale Oval

This was meant to be Jamie Lyon’s final home game, however the club captain has been robbed of a farewell, with a hamstring injury having officially ended his career 12 years after retiring for the first time.

Manly are coming off a 38-18 loss at the hands of the ladder-leading Storm and have one of the toughest runs home, with premiership dark horses Penrith up next week.

The Sea Eagles have now lost two games on the trot, so are hoping the inclusion of Dylan Walker, returning from a shoulder injury, as well as Apisai Koroisau can turn their results around.

Blake Leary has moved back to an extended five-man bench, which includes Frank Winterstein, who made his first appearance in the NRL since 2008 after joining the club from rugby sevens.

The Raiders are building strongly ahead of the finals and are now one of the favourites to take out the title.

Yet Ricky Stuart has overhauled his side, with Josh Hodgson returning at hooker, Edrick Lee on the wing and Paul Vaughan in the front row.

Meanwhile, Brenko Lee has been demoted to the bench after scoring four tries against the Eels, and is joined by Shaun Fensom.

The Raiders and Sea Eagles have played 24 times, with Manly having the slight upper-hand with 13 victories. The Green Machine won in their last encounter, recording a 30-18 victory back in Round 13.

Prediction
The Raiders will continue their strong form.

Raiders by 12.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 3pm (AEST)
Venue: Brookvale Oval
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Raiders defeated Sea Eagles 30-18 (Round 13, 2016)
Head-to-head: 24 played – Sea Eagles 13, Raiders 11
Sea Eagles last three games: 18-38 versus Storm, 16-20 versus Bulldogs, 9-10 versus Eels
Raiders last three games: 28-18 versus Eels, 22-8 versus Storm, 30-14 versus Sharks

Manly Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Lewis Brown, 4. Dylan Walker, 5. Brayden Wiliame, 6. Matthew Wright, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. Nate Myles (c), 11. Martin Taupau, 12. Jamie Buhrer, 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Matt Parcell, 15. Josh Starling, 16. Frank Winterstein, 17. Siosaia Vave, 18. Blake Leary

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. Paul Vaughan, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Shannon Boyd, 11. Josh Papalii, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Iosia Soliola
Interchange: 14. Kurt Baptiste, 15. Luke Bateman, 16. Clay Priest, 17. Joseph Tapine, 18. Brenko Lee, 19. Shaun Fensom

Gold Coast Titans versus Penrith Panthers
Saturday, 27 August, 5:30pm (AEST) at Cbus Super Stadium

A win here guarantees the Titans will play finals footy this year. At the moment the Warriors and Wests Tigers are hanging on by a thread, needing to win their last two games, while also drastically improving their for-and-against to leap-frog the Gold Coast.

Jarryd Hayne will be wearing the No.1 jersey for the first time since leaving for the NFL, pushing David Mead to an extended bench.

This is all to make room for the return of star Ashley Taylor, who needs to show he is the NRL’s best rookie half by shutting down his main competition for that title – 18-year-old Nathan Cleary.

Cleary has shown plenty of composure for the youngest player in the competition, teaching some of the NRL’s veteran backs a lesson, with his kicking game putting serious pressure on the likes of Brett Stewart and State of Origin star Corey Oates.

Hayne will be next on his list, with the young halfback hoping to cause the former 49er trouble with the Steeden.

The biggest test for the baby-faced Chocolate Soldiers will be their defensive line, with Hayne eager to punch holes and create space.

The two clubs have had 14 meetings, with the Titans having won six to Penrith’s eight. The Gold Coast got up 28-24 last time out, in Round 11 at Pepper Stadium.

Prediction
The Titans’ finals campaign will remain in the air, as Penrith press their credentials.

Panthers by 2.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 5:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Titans defeated Panthers 28-24 (Round 11, 2016)
Head-to-head: 14 played – Titans 6, Panthers 8
Titans last three games: 26-6 versus Knights, 19-18 versus Wests Tigers, 14-24 versus Warriors
Panthers last three games: 40-10 versus Wests Tigers, 42-6 versus Knights, 38-18 versus Roosters

Gold Coast Titans
1. Jarryd Hayne, 2. Anthony Don, 3. Josh Hoffman, 4. Konrad 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
Interchange: 14. David Shillington, 15. Ryan Simpkins, 16. Agnatius Paasi, 17. Nathan Friend (c), 18. David Mead, 19. Leivaha Pulu

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. Suaia Matagi, 11. Isaah Yeo, 12. James Fisher-Harris, 13. Trent Merrin
Interchange: 14. Sitaleki Akauola, 15. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 16. Chris Grevsmuhl, 17. Zak Hardaker, 20. Moses Leota, 21. Jeremy Latimore

Roarers, who are you tipping in Round 25?

Be sure to tune in tomorrow as I preview the remainder of the round.

You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew