The Adjudicator has returned to his proficient best; producing a near-perfect six from seven in round 14 to leave NRL fans in awe of the straightest-shooting tipster in the land.

Stink in pink … The Panthers were awful against Manly. Mark Evans

Jason Bell of Brisbane, who was a key contributor in my decision to back off Penrith and jump on a Matt Orford-inspired Manly.

With only five games scheduled this week due to the looming State of Origin II fixture, here’s my early take on what your team will serve up in round 15.

And just an update: as of round 16 (next week), so long as you keep it concise and (relatively) clean, you WILL be published. That’s right, your voice will be heard. How exciting! However – and I’ve checked with Mrs Adjudicator on this one – I can’t throw in a set of steak knives. This deal’s sweet enough.

For this week, email The Adjudicator, and tell me in 100 words or fewer why your team will win, including your full name and where you’re from. I’ll publish my verdict on Friday morning. To get your grey matter moving, here’s my early take:

Bulldogs v Penrith, Friday 7.35pm (EST), ANZ Stadium
The Adjudicator says: “Everything was going well for Penrith until they put on those pink jerseys and lost to Manly on the weekend. It was all for a good cause, of course, but the Panthers appear to have lost their venom. Livid Bulldogs fans have been waiting 13 rounds to tear these guys apart after the NRL took two of their competition points back in round two. With Luke Lewis and Michael Jennings away, the mountain men are relying on a bunch of teenagers; like Wade Graham and Lachlan Coote. Bulldogs should beat them black, blue, and white.”

Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you’re from.

North Queensland Cowboys v Sydney Roosters, Saturday 7.35pm (EST), Dairy Farmers Stadium
The Adjudicator says: “Sydney Roosters overachieved last week but with Johnathan Thurston and Luke O’Donnell out of town, they will fancy themselves here. And as much as I don’t want to tip a team coming last, the Cowboys have always been a one-man band. The Roosters are proof that it’s good to be bad with only Nate Myles lost to the Origin cause. The Cowboys’ defence against the Dragons had more holes in it than my pasta-strainer, and the loss of Thurston and Matt Bowen means their attack could be just as hollow.”

Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you’re from.

Melbourne Storm v Wests Tigers, Sunday 2pm (EST), Olympic Park
The Adjudicator says: “There is a long red-carpet list of stars out for Melbourne here but they should be able to cope with their losses better than the Tigers. Though they will only be missing NSW Origin hooker Robbie Farah, the Tigers’ depth is scarcely deeper than a toddler’s pool. Tim Sheens is starting to look more and more like a dinosaur as he fails to fire up his youthful squad. Olympic Park has buried many a team before and I can’t see the Tigers getting out of this game alive.”

Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you’re from.

Manly v Canberra, Sunday 3pm (EST), Brookvale Oval
The Adjudicator says: “If both teams were at full strength, then I would recommend the Raiders forfeit this one to save the petrol money. I wouldn’t be surprised if Canberra stays at home anyway; they must be worn out after their paltry performance in front of horrified home fans last Sunday. But with Manly’s stars away, I can see the Raiders getting close – but not close enough. Manly will have too much pride to subject the Brookvale faithful to a miserable performance, and will be too good for the lean machine.”

Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you’re from.

Cronulla v Brisbane, Monday 7pm (EST), Toyota Stadium
The Adjudicator says: “It’s been funny watching Ricky Stuart trying to crack a smile over the past couple of weeks. He’s obviously been out of practice for so long that it doesn’t come naturally any more. And, when it eventually comes, it’s looked almost apologetic – sheepish even. Maybe he’ll throw caution to the wind and release a full-blown, belly-aching laugh if his beloved Sharkies add the Broncos to their list of conquests. They have been presented with no better opportunity. There’s nothing like playing the Broncos at Origin time. Mind you, their so-called stars have hardly helped in recent times, so maybe a team of no-names will fare better. The Sharks have also paid a high Origin price with Trent Barrett and Paul Gallen absent, but, as strange as it sounds, they are on a roll and, we’ve been waiting to say this all season, will put the bite into the slumping Broncos.”

Agree/disagree with The Adjudicator? Tell him, in 100 words or fewer, why your team will win this match. Email The Adjudicator, including your full name and where you’re from.