The NRL enters Round 3 with five unbeaten teams, five teams yet to taste victory and six teams having a win and a loss so far. We start the round with the Grand Final replay where the high-flying Panthers will be looking to exact some slither of revenge by handing the Storm their second defeat of the season.
On Friday night its the age-old bitter battle between the Chooks and Bunnies, while we'll have to wait until Saturday to see which of the Broncos and Bulldogs are in the most trouble this year. Dragons - Manly, Raiders - Warriors, Knights - Tigers, Sharks - Eels, there are plenty of tough ones to pick this weekend.
Good luck with your tips.
Jump ahead to a particular game.
Panthers vs. Storm
Dragons vs. Sea Eagles
Rabbitohs vs. Roosters
Raiders vs. Warriors
Broncos vs. Bulldogs
Eels vs. Sharks
Knights vs. Tigers
Cowboys vs. Titans
Thursday, March 25
Penrith Panthers vs. Melbourne Storm, Panthers Stadium, 8:05pm (AEDT)
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To'o 6. Jarome Luai 19. Matt Burton 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Isaah Yeo. Bench: 14. Tyrone May 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Matthew Eisenhuth 17. Liam Martin Reserves: 18. Scott Sorensen 19. Matt Burton 20. J'maine Hopgood 21. Jaeman Salmon
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Storm: 1. Nicho Hynes 2. George Jennings 3. Reimis Smith 4. Justin Olam 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Brandon Smith 10. Christian Welch 11. Tom Eisenhuth 12. Kenneath Bromwich 13. Nelson Asofa-Solomona Bench: 14. Aaron Pene 15. Tui Kamikamica 16. Chris Lewis 17. Nicholas Hynes Reserves: 18. Cooper Johns 19. Darryn Schonig 20. Tyson Smoothy 21. Dean Ieremia
Referee: Grant Atkins
Verdict: We only had to wait three rounds for the Grand Final replay and it promises to be one you shouldn't miss. The Storm won't be happy with the way they lost to the Eels last week, with moments of indecision costing them. The Panthers are yet to concede a point in warming up for this one with convincing victories over the Cowboys and Bulldogs. They appear to be improving with each outing and will need to step up again to beat the Storm. At home and with all the momentum they should achieve a small slice of revenge, even with skipper Nathan Cleary not playing, after he suffered a head knock against the Bulldogs last week.
Tip: Panthers by 6
TAB odds: Panthers $2.20 (-2.5 $1.85) Storm $1.67 (+2.5 $1.95)
Friday, March 26
St George Illawarra Dragons vs. Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, WIN Stadium, 6:00pm (AEDT)
Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Cody Ramsey 3. Jack Bird 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Josh Kerr 12. Tariq Sims 13. Tyrell Fuimaono Bench: 14. Poasa Faamausili 15. Trent Merrin 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Brayden Wiliame Reserves:18. Adam Clune 19. Kaide Ellis 20. Jackson Ford 21. Jordan Pereira
Sea Eagles: 1. Dylan Walker 2. Jason Saab 3. Brad Parker 4. Moses Suli 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Martin Taupau 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Josh Schuster 13. Jake Trbojevic Bench: 14. Cade Cust 15. Morgan Boyle 16. Sean Keppie 17. Josh Aloiai Reserves: 18. Tevita Funa 19. Morgan Harper 20. Toafofoa Sipley 21. Christian Tuipulotu
Referee: Chris Sutton
Verdict: The Dragons managed a tough victory over the Cowboys last week which would have given Anthony Griffin's men some real confidence in what he is trying to achieve at the club. The Sea Eagles suffered another defeat, and it's not so clear what Des Hasler is trying to achieve, as he tries to fit Kieran Foran into the puzzle while coping without superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic. The lift from last week's win should see the Dragons home in Wollongong.
Tip: Dragons by 6
TAB odds: Dragons $1.85 (-1.5 $1.95) Sea Eagles $1.95 (+1.5 $1,85)
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs. Sydney Roosters, Stadium Australia, 8:05pm (AEDT)
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dane Gagai 4. Campbell Graham 5. Josh Mansour 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Cameron Murray Bench: 14. Benji Marshall 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Patrick Mago 17. Jai Arrow Reserves: 18. Jacob Host 19. Tautau Moga 20. Troy Dargan 21. Steven Marsters
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Josh Morris 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Lachlan Lam 7. Luke Keary 8. Lindsay Collins 9. Freddy Lussick 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua Bench: 13. Isaac Liu 14. Victor Radley 15. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 16. Nat Butcher 17. Daniel Suluka-fifita Reserves: 18. Drew Hutchison 19. Matt Ikuvalu 20. Sam Walker 21. Fletcher Baker
Referee: Ashley Klein
Verdict: The Rabbitohs bounced back from their first round loss to the Storm to beat the Sea Eagles, while the Roosters continued their ruthless run, dominating the Tigers. This is always a monumental battle, the bitter rivalry stretching way back for these foundation clubs. The Roosters appear to be traveling a little too well to be troubled by the Rabbitohs at this stage of the season.
Tip: Roosters by 12
TAB odds: Rabbitohs $2.20 (+2.5 $1.85) Roosters $1.67 (-2.5 $1.95)
Saturday, March 27
Canberra Raiders vs. New Zealand Warriors, GIO Stadium, 3:00pm (AEDT)
Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Curtis Scott 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. George Williams 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Dunamis Lui 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine Bench: 14. Siliva Havili 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Iosia Soliola 17. Ryan James Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Tom Starling 20. Caleb Aekins 21. Sebastian Kris
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitu'a 3. Adam Pompey 4. Peta Hiku 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Sean O'Sullivan 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Eliesa Katoa 12. Bayley Sironen 13. Tohu Harris Bench: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Ben Murdoch-Masila 16. Leeson Ah Mau 17. Jack Murchie Reserves: 18. Tom Ale 20. Marcelo Montoya 21. Paul Turner 22. Kane Evans
Referee: Matt Cecchin
Verdict: The Raiders started well against the Sharks before battling to hold on to victory in the second half, while the Warriors fell to the Knights. We have seen some good signs from the Warriors under new coach Nathan Brown, but the Raiders are looking like a real premiership threat, even at this early stage of the season. At home, in front of their viking-clapping fans, they should be too good in this one.
Tip: Raiders by 10
TAB odds: Raiders $1.25 (-10.5 $1.95) Warriors $4.00 (+10.5 $1.85)
Brisbane Broncos vs. Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, Suncorp Stadium, 5:30pm (AEDT)
Broncos: 1. Jamayne Isaako 2. Xavier Coates 3. Herbie Farnworth 4. Tesi Niu 5. David Mead 6. Anthony Milford 7. Brodie Croft 8. Tevita Pangai Junior 9. Jake Turpin 10. Thomas Flegler 11. Alex Glenn 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan Bench: 14. John Asiata 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Ben Te'o Reserves: 18. Tom Dearden 19. Richard Kennar 20. Cory Paix 21. Corey Oates
Bulldogs: 1. Corey Allan 2. Nick Meaney 3. Will Hopoate 4. Nick Cotric 5. Tuipulotu Katoa 6. Jake Averillo 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Ofahiki Ogden 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Adam Elliott 12. Corey Waddell 13. Josh Jackson Bench: 14. Sione Katoa 15. Renouf Atoni 16. Joe Stimson 17. Dylan Napa Reserves: 19. Dean Britt 20. Chris Smith 21. Lachlan Lewis 22. Ava Seumanufagai
Referee: Ben Cummins
Verdict: A promising start against the Eels seemed to fade into the bad habits of last year in consecutive losses for the Broncos. The Bulldogs showed moments of determination against the Panthers before being completely overwhelmed for the second time this season. Two new coaches, both yet to taste success this season, will be desperate to grab the two points here. This will be a real test of which team can put together 80 minutes of football. Toss a coin, but maybe the Broncos at home.
Tip: Broncos by 4
TAB odds: Broncos $1.70 (-2.5 $1.95) Bulldogs $2.15 (+2.5 $1.85)
Parramatta Eels vs. Cronulla Sutherland Sharks, Bankwest Stadium, 7:35pm (AEDT)
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Tom Opacic 4. Marata Niukore 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali'i 13. Nathan Brown Bench: 14. Oregon Kaufusi 15. Keegan Hipgrave 16. Will Smith 17. Ray Stone Reserves: 18. Jordan Rankin 19. Haze Dunster 20. David Hollis 21. Joey Lussick
Sharks: 1. Will Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Josh Dugan 4. Connor Tracey 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Matt Moylan 7. Chad Townsend 8. Braden Hamlin-Uele 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Aaron Woods 11. Briton Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Toby Rudolf Bench: 14. Teig Wilton 15. Aiden Tolman 16. Jack Williams 17. Billy Magoulias Reserves: 18. Mawene Hiroti 19. Nene Macdonald 20. Andrew Fifita 21. Braydon Trindall
Referee: Adam Gee
Verdict: Parramatta put together a very gutsy performance last week to beat the Storm in the sloppy conditions. It will have taken a lot out of them, but the victory keeps them undefeated. The Sharks had a similarly difficult battle against the Raiders and painfully lost due to errant goal kicking.The Eels are playing with a lot of confidence and may be too good at home for the Sharks.
Tip: Eels by 8
TAB odds: Eels $1.37 (-7.5 $1.90) Sharks $3.15 (+7.5 $1.90)
Sunday, March 28
Newcastle Knights vs. Wests Tigers, McDonald Jones Stadium, 4:05pm (AEDT)
Knights: 1. Tex Hoy 2. Starford To'a 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Kurt Mann 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Connor Watson Bench: 14. Sauaso Sue 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones Reserves: 18. Gehamat Shibasaki 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Dominic Young 21. Simi Sasagi
Tigers: 1. Daine Laurie 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Tommy Talau 4. James Roberts 5. Asu Kepaoa 6. Adam Doueihi 7. Luke Brooks 8. Zane Musgrove 9. Jacob Liddle 10. James Tamou 11. Luke Garner 12. Luciano Leilua 13. Alex Twal Bench: 14. Joe Ofahengaue 15. Thomas Mikaele 16. Stefano Utoikamanu 17. Moses Mbye Reserves:18. Michael Chee-Kam 19. Joseph Leilua 20. Russell Packer 21. Alex Seyfarth
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Verdict: The Knights continued their unbeaten run with an impressive effort against the Warriors last week, while the Tigers slumped to another thrashing, this time at the hands of the Roosters. The Tigers have lost to two red-hot teams, but their confidence has still taken a battering. The momentum is all in the Knights' favour and they should win again at home.
Tip: Knights by 10
TAB odds: Knights $1.34 (-8.5 $1.90) Tigers $3.30 (+8.5 $1.90)
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Gold Coast Titans, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 6:15pm (AEDT)
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Murray Taulagi 3. Esan Marsters 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Valentine Holmes 6. Michael Morgan 7. Jake Clifford 8. Francis Molo 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Mitchell Dunn 12. Coen Hess 13. Reuben Cotter Bench: 14. Jake Granville 15. Josh Mcguire 16. Corey Jensen 17. Lachlan Burr Reserves: 18. Justin O'Neill 19. Shane Wright 20. Peter Hola 21. Ben Hampton
Titans: 1. Alexander Brimson 2. Anthony Don 3. Phillip Sami 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Corey Thompson 6. Tanah Boyd 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Moeaki Fotuaika 11. Kevin Proctor 12. David Fifita 13. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui Bench: 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. Sam Lisone 16. Jaimin Jolliffe 17. Erin Clark Reserves: 18. Beau Fermor 19. Herman Ese'ese 20. Sam McIntyre 21. Sam Stone
Referee: Peter Gough
Verdict: Strange things are happening in Townsville as the Cowboys come to terms with new coach Todd Payten. It doesn't take much for a playing group to throw their toys out of the cot if they don't like what they are seeing or hearing. The TItans showed some of the expected improvement in beating the Broncos last week, with David Fifita really standing up. How bad will things get for the Cowboys if the Titans win this one?
Tip: Titans by 8
TAB odds: Cowboys $2.80 (+6.5 $1.90) Titans $1.44 (-6.5 $1.90)