NRL Round 3

By Stephen Gallagher

THURSDAY: Sea Eagles V Eels – 4 Pines Park – 22.00NZT

Fresh off the bye, the Sea Eagles have had injured players return too

While this is the first of three games in a row for the Eels to play teams off a bye, that doesn’t bode well for their chances.

Two four-point losses to kick off 2023 and their first away game stacks the odds against them.

The Eels forward rotation is again head-scratching, but the injuries are affecting this.

I think Manly will come out and start strong, and it’ll be an arm wrestle.

If the Eels can limit Manly around the ruck, it’ll be close.

TIP: Sea Eagles 1-12

 

FRIDAY – Knights V Dolphins – McDonald Jones Stadium – 20.00NZT

The first home game for Newcastle, and the first away game for the Dolphins.

If there needs to be a defining factor of the Knights season, we could look back and see that resilient win from last week as the turning point.

They still need to gel better in attack to find some points, but that will happen soon.

Redcliffe look to go 3/3 and keep the rest of the NRL on notice, and with a few key injuries to Newcastle, they absolutely can get the win.

McDonald Jones will be packed, and the Novacastrians will be ready to cheer their side on. The home-town advantage might be enough here.

TIP: Knights 1-12

 

Roosters V Rabbitohs – Allianz Stadium – 22.05NZT

These two last met in the playoffs, and there were seven sin bins and a whole lot of beef to add to this prolific history.

Two teams that absolutely hate each other, there will no doubt be some fuel to add to this fire.

Rabbitohs still missing a couple of key forwards, and that will be tough as Sydney get Waerea-Hargreaves and Radley back to bolster their pack.

Predict some chaos, but I think that the Roosters will really step up in this one, but the Bunnies will have a few tricks up their sleeves to keep their arch rivals at bay.

TIP: Roosters 1-12

 

SATURDAY: Titans V Storm – CBus Super Stadium – 17.00NZT

They were hot out the blocks last week, but faded massively to cop a 14-point loss against the Dragons last week, but being at home for the first time will give the Titans some hope.

While we all saw the Storm get obliterated by the Bulldogs, and they will be chomping at the bit to get 80 minutes of football in to prove that last week won’t be a regular occurrence.

The return of Olam, Coates and Kamikamica for Melbourne will really help their injury woes.

Gold Coast need to work harder in defence and work together, as they were exposed one-on-one last week.

Could be another long year for them if they don’t work harder on their own line.

TIP: Storm 13+

 

Cowboys V Warriors – QCB Stadium – 19.30NZT

Both sides are missing key players, which doesn’t help their cause.

Drinkwater and Hiku both missing from the Cowboys, whereas the Warriors are without Nicoll-Klokstad and Ford. These four are all keys to success.

At home, the Cowboys should get the job done, but we’ve seen the Warriors really dig in the last two weeks and fight for the full eighty. Obviously, they have a long way to go to show they’re better than they have been in years gone by.

I think the Cowboys’ forward pack will eventually wear the Warriors down, and a couple of late tries will flatter the scoreline.

The Townsville heat will also be unsettling for the Auckland-based franchise.

TIP: Cowboys 13+

 

Broncos V Dragons – Suncorp Stadium – 21.35NZT

Since Ben Hunt join the Dragons, he’s beaten the Broncos every time. The one time the Broncos did win, he wasn’t playing.

So by this logic, the Dragons will win in a canter…

However, the Broncos side looks like they’re having a lot of fun this year and that’s a great additive to success.

The Dragons will be happy with their undefeated start after two weeks, but this is a proper test.

If the Red V manage to get up, it’ll be massive, I just think the Broncos have too many attacking weapons and will get the job done.

TIP: Broncos 1-12

 

SUNDAY: Bulldogs V Tigers – Belmore Sports Ground – 18.05NZT

A sold-out Belmore is a formidable sight and returning from Melbourne with a win will absolutely boost the frenzy of this Bulldogs outfit.

While there are plenty of issues at the Tigers, they’re compounded by injury and suspension.

There’s a slight chance we’ll see John Bateman suit up in the Tigers colours for the first time, and the sort of player he is will undoubtedly add starch on the edge.

Canterbury-Bankstown looked so good against Melbourne, which is why their side is unchanged.

Exciting clash for both fans, I just think the occasion will be too much for the Tigers and the Bulldogs will comfortably get the win.

TIP: Bulldogs 13+

 

Raiders V Sharks – GIO Stadium – 22.15NZT

After two weeks in Queensland, Canberra return home to the Cronulla Sharks in the last game of the weekend.

Two gutsy performances but falling short in both, the Raiders will look to work on what they can do to get over the line during the week.

Cronullawon in a shoot-out last week, and with defence, an issue after week one – they halved the number of missed tackles made.

No Hynes again but Trindall will once again get the job done.I have a sneaking suspicion that the Raiders will get their first win of the season…

TIP: Raiders 1-12

BYE: Panthers

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