Round 26 kicks off in Brisbane, with the Broncos competing for a top-four spot when they take on the Roosters, before the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs renew hostilities in another explosive clash between two of Sydney’s biggest clubs.

The Dragons and Knights will be playing for a consolation win on Saturday at Kogarah, then the Titans look to secure a top-eight position in their all-Queensland encounter with the Cowboys.

Brisbane Broncos versus Sydney Roosters
Thursday, 1 September, 7:50pm (AEST) at Suncorp Stadium

The boys from Red Hill delivered the ladder-leading Storm a shock last week, recording a 26-16 victory in Melbourne.

Matt Gillett stood out for Brisbane, leading an inspired effort and helping his side to re-establish themselves as a premiership threat after hitting a slump mid-season.

If Corey Parker lifts the Provan-Summons trophy in his swansong, it will be off the back of his halves pairing of Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt, although Milford must increase his creativity and use his unique attacking prowess to exploit gaps in the defensive line.

Mitchell Pearce might upstage the former Raider though. The former New South Wales representative is back to his best, showing composure with his kicking and passing game, and linking up with Blake Ferguson and Latrell Mitchell to create some scintillating plays.

One of his other go-to men will be absent, with Boyd Cordner – who has added another dimension to the Roosters’ attack, establishing himself as a senior player – not named.

Ryan Matterson takes Cordner’s place in the back row, while Nat Butcher will debut off the bench.

The two clubs have met 32 times during the NRL era, with Brisbane winning 17 to the Tricolours’ 15.

Last time they met, in Round 21 this year, Easts pulled off a 32-16 victory.

Prediction
Brisbane will record a big win over the Roosters to remain in contention for a top-four spot.

Broncos by 12.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Roosters defeated Broncos 32-16 (Round 21, 2016)
Head-to-head: 32 played – Broncos 17, Roosters 15
Broncos’ last three games: 26-16 versus Storm, 20-10 versus Bulldogs, 38-16 versus Eels
Roosters’ last three games: 12-37 versus Sharks, 42-6 versus Dragons, 22-10 versus Cowboys

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

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

Canterbury Bulldogs versus South Sydney Rabbitohs
Friday, 2 September, 7:50pm (AEST) at ANZ Stadium

Souths’ finals hopes came to an end weeks ago, and they will be out for revenge in a clash between Sydney’s two best supported clubs.

Canterbury are coming off a 16-24 loss to the Cowboys at their spiritual home of Belmore and need a win to be in with a shot at a top-four spot, confirming a home game in either Week 1 or 2 of the finals.

The blue and white are still without Samoan wrecking ball Sam Kasiano, who is serving a two-game suspension after kicking Corey Parker in their Round 24 loss to the Broncos.

If Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye orchestrate a strong performance, the Dogs of War could relaunch their campaign at just the right time.

The Rabbitohs have left their charge far too late but have been strong in recent weeks, with big wins over the Warriors and Knights, as well as a shock victory over Cronulla.

Their form has been led by State of Origin halfback Adam Reynolds who, since returning to injury, has inspired his troops to find another level.

It’s not the eight they wanted, but they could now finish in the middle eight if results go their way, after a year which saw them crashing back down to Earth following a number of seasons in the top echelon.

The two clubs have met 31 times since 1998, with Canterbury victorious 20 times to Souths’ ten, while one match has been drawn.

Prediction
The Bulldogs will return to the winners’ circle just in time for the finals.

Bulldogs by 8.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: ANZ Stadium
TV: Live, Nine Network and Fox Sports
Last meeting: Bulldogs defeated Rabbitohs 42-12 (Round 4, 2016)
Head-to-head: 31 played – Bulldogs 20, Rabbitohs 10, 1 Drawn
Bulldogs’ last three games: 16-24 versus Cowboys, 10-20 versus Broncos, 20-16 versus Sea Eagles
Rabbitohs’ last three games: 34-12 versus Knights, 12-6 versus Sharks, 41-22 versus Warriors

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

South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Greg Inglis (c), 2. Alex Johnston, 3. Hymel Hunt, 4. Aaron Gray, 5. Joe Burgess, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. George Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. John Sutton, 12. Kyle Turner, 13. Sam Burgess
Interchange: 14. Jason Clark, 15. Nathan Brown, 16. Angus Crichton, 17. Zane Musgrove

St George Illawarra Dragons versus Newcastle Knights
Saturday, 3 September, 3pm (AEST) at UOW Jubilee Oval

The Dragons and the Knights have both struggled in 2016 and will be looking forward to the final hooter come Saturday afternoon.

Club legend Ben Creagh will be sent out, alongside departing players Benji Marshall, Mitch Rein and Mike Cooper in what will be an emotion-charged afternoon for the Red V.

The return of Creagh for his 271st and final game after 13 years at the joint venture sees Joel Thompson move onto the bench.

Marshall also returns for a swansong, alongside Taane Milne and Will Matthews, with Drew Hutchison and Tariq Sims dropping out.

Marshall has a point to prove, needing to create something special and pull the Dragons over the line to keep his career alive.

He comes up against Jarrod Mullen, whose NRL career is apparently similarly clouded. The local junior has been named in a side that also features Jeremy Smith, the warhorse who is calling it quits at the age of 36 with well over 200 games under his belt across four clubs, including the Dragons, as well as 22 caps for New Zealand.

Smith has provided plenty to Newcastle’s inexperienced side, who still only have one win in 2016.

Coach Nathan Brown has once again named Dylan Phythian, who scored on debut last Sunday in the Novocastrians’ 34-12 loss to South Sydney on Old Boys Day.

Having not won since back in Round 6, this week shapes as the perfect opportunity for Brown to get one back on his old club and to give the people of the Hunter something to smile about as the season comes to a close.

Since St George and Illawarra joined forces, they have defeated the Knights on 22 occasions, with the red and blue victorious only ten times from 32 attempts.

They last met, in Round 16, the Dragons came away with a 30-18 win at Newcastle’s New Lambton base.

Prediction
The Red V will cap off a disappointing season with a win.

Dragons by 6.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 3pm (AEST)
Venue: UOW Jubilee Oval
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Dragons defeated Knights 30-18 (Round 16, 2016)
Head-to-head: 32 played – Dragons 22, Knights 10
Dragons’ last three games: 18-30 versus Eels, 6-42 versus Roosters, 32-18 versus Sharks
Knights’ last three games: 12-34 versus Rabbitohs, 6-26 versus Titans, 6-42 versus Panthers

St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Josh Dugan, 2. Kurt Mann, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Taane Milne, 5. Jason Nightingale, 6. Gareth Widdop (c), 7. Benji Marshall, 8. Leeson Ah Mau, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Mike Cooper, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Ben Creagh (c), 13. Jack de Belin
Interchange: 14. Joel Thompson, 15. Will Matthews, 16. Jacob Host, 17. Jake Marketo, 19. Siliva Havili, 20. Timoteo Lafai, 21. Luciano Leilua

Newcastle Knights
1. Jake Mamo, 2. Nathan Ross, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Peter Mata’utia, 5. Brendan Elliot, 6. Jarrod Mullen, 7. Trent Hodkinson (c), 8. Daniel Saifiti, 9. Tyler Randell, 10. Jacob Saifiti, 11. Sione Mata’utia, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Jeremy Smith (c)
Interchange: 14. Dylan Phythian, 15. Pat Mata’utia, 16. Korbin Sims, 17. Sam Mataora, 18. Josh King, 19. Jaelen Feeney

North Queensland Cowboys versus Gold Coast Titans
Saturday, 3 September, 5:30pm (AEST) at 1300Smiles Stadium

North Queensland are knocking on the door of the top four, with a win to officially secure a second chance and the opportunity to take on the minor premiers.

The reigning premiers last week defeated Canterbury 24-16 at Belmore, with Johnathan Thurston putting in a big effort during his homecoming. The reigning Dally M Medallist needs to lead from the front again coming up against the Gold Coast’s attacking flair featuring code hopper Jarryd Hayne and Rookie of the Year contender Ashley Taylor.

The Cowboys’ forward pack has been weakened with the loss of Matthew Scott, however Ben Hannant returns in his place from a knee injury, seeing Scott Bolton promoted to the starting side.

The Titans meanwhile have named the same 17 as last week. Captain Nathan Friend, the last remaining foundation player, could play his last game on Saturday night if results go against Neil Henry’s men.

Friend will once again ply his trade off the bench as the Gold Coast have one last shot at securing their first finals appearance since reaching the preliminary finals back in 2011.

Another Titans legend who could be on the way out is David Mead. The Papua New Guinean international has been named on a seven-man bench, with the winger reportedly set to be forced out with the touchdown of the Hayne Plane at Robina.

The two Queensland sides have shared eight wins each since 2007, with their last meeting coming in Round 26 last year, when the Cowboys came out 42-12 victors.

Prediction
North Queensland will guarantee a spot in the top four and keep the Titans’ finals hopes in doubt.

Cowboys by 4.

What you need to know
Kickoff: 5:30pm (AEST)
Venue: 1300Smiles Stadium
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Last meeting: Cowboys defeated Titans 42-12 (Round 26, 2015)
Head-to-head: 16 played – Cowboys 8, Titans 8
Cowboys’ last three games: 24-16 versus Bulldogs, 34-6 versus Warriors, 10-22 versus Roosters
Titans’ last three games: 14-15 versus Panthers, 26-6 versus Knights, 19-18 versus Wests Tigers

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. Scott Bolton, 9. Jake Granville, 10. James Tamou, 11. Gavin Cooper, 12. Ethan Lowe, 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Rory Kostjasyn, 15. Coen Hess, 16. Patrick Kaufusi, 17. Ben Hannant

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. Leivaha Pulu, 15. Ryan Simpkins, 16. Agnatius Paasi, 17. Nathan Friend (c), 18. David Mead, 19. David Shillington, 21. Lachlan Burr

Roarers, who are you tipping in Round 26?

Be sure to tune in tomorrow as I preview the final four games of the regular season.

You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew