With two incredible rounds of NRL in the bank, our experts break down the best bets for every game of Round Three.
Sea Eagles vs. Eels
16th March 8:00pm
The ladder-leading Sea Eagles will look to make it two from two after they sat out Round Two with the bye. They’ll enter this clash as favourites against last year’s grand finalists, with five-eighth Josh Schuster returning to the starting line-up after suffering a calf injury.
There are no changes to the Eels side that went down to the Sharks 26-30, as they look to win their first game of the year and lift themselves out of the 16th spot on the ladder. Mitchell Moses did his utmost to carry the Eels with a try in each half, but they’ll need more than him to overcome the Sea Eagles.
Suggested Bet: Same Game Multi
- Leg 1: Manly to win
- Leg 2: Over 41.5 total points
- Leg 3: R. Garrick score anytime
- Leg 4: B. Simonsson score anytime
- Total: $8.50
Knights vs. Dolphins
17th March 6:00pm
The Dolphins have been the story of the NRL over the first two rounds, with two unlikely wins placing them in second spot on the ladder.
After upsetting the Roosters in Round One, they doubled down with a six-point come-from-behind victory against the Raiders. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow led the charge with two tries as the NRL’s newest franchise continues to amaze under Wayne Bennett.
The Knights entered the winner’s column for the first time with a two-point win over the Tigers away from home. Kalyn Ponga and Jayden Brailey will miss due to concussion, while Tyson Frizell and Jacob Saifiti will make it four changes.
Honestly, though, who’d have ever thought they’d be $2.50 heading into their Round Three game with the Dolphins?
Suggested Bet: Newcastle (+4.5) @ $1.90
Roosters vs. Rabbitohs
17th March 8:00PM
Arguably the match of the round, the Roosters will host the Rabbitohs in a Friday night blockbuster at Allianz Stadium.
After their shock loss to the Dolphins in the season opener, the Roosters hit back with an eight-point win over the Warriors. Jaxson Paulo’s two tries were the highlight of the Roosters’ night as they look to put two strong performances in a row together. They will be buoyed by the inclusions of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Victor Radley, and Brandon Smith.
Despite playing away from home, the Rabbitohs will enter this one as $1.70 favourites after their six-point loss to the Panthers. Souths have been more convincing to this stage of the season, and they’ll welcome the return of prop Tevita Tatola.
Suggested Bet: South Sydney to win @ $1.70
Titans vs. Storm
18th March 3:00PM
After failing to fire in their 12-26 loss to the Bulldogs at home, the Storm will be looking to bounce back into form against the Titans. There are several critical inclusions for the Melbourne boys, with centre Justin Olam, Xavier Coates, Tui Kamikamica and interchange forward Tariq Sims all returning to the line-up.
The Titans were equally as disappointing in their clash with the Dragons, going down by 14 points after trailing by just four at half-time. Their apparent slump in the second half will need to be arrested going into this one, but the market is well and truly on Team Storm to bounce back at $1.45.
Suggested Bet: Melbourne to win @ $1.45
Cowboys vs. Warriors
18th March 5:30PM
It was a tough night out for the Cowboys on Friday as they went down to the Broncos 28-16 and ultimately lost their skipper, Scott Drinkwater, for three matches due to suspension. The market is still in evident support of the Cowboys at $1.35, but they will need to improve after posting six points to 18 in the second half against Brisbane.
The Warriors are coming off their first loss of the season to the Roosters, where they, too, were overrun in the final 40. Taine Tuaupiki will make his NRL debut as fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad goes out with a concussion.
Suggested Bet: J. Nanai anytime try scorer @ $2.25
Broncos vs. Dragons
18th March 7:35PM
The fourth-placed Broncos are flying after two rounds & they’ll be confident in going three from three against the Dragons.
With the scores level at 10-10 against the Cowboys, the Broncos went to another level with three tries to one in the second half. Corey Oates will miss up to eight weeks with a broken jaw and be replaced by Jesse Arthars in Kevin Walters’ side.
The Dragons are striking at 100% after their first game of the season, defeating the Titans 32-18, but they will find the Broncos are a different beast when they face off at Suncorp Stadium.
Suggested Bet: Brisbane (-10.5) @ $1.90
Bulldogs vs. Tigers
19th March 4:05PM
The Bulldogs put a Round One mauling at the hands of Manly behind them in their second-up assignment as they defeated the Storm by 14 points at Aami Park. Jacob Kiraz starred with two tries and a game-high 235m run. Josh Reynolds has recovered from a groin injury and is part of the extended squad, but Cameron Ciraldo is unlikely to make changes to the team that dominated the Storm.
There were high hopes for the Tigers ahead of their home game against the Knights, but they ended up two points short at full-time. It’s difficult to mount a case for them as the find replacements for four players, including fullback Daine Laurie (knee).
Suggested Bet: Canterbury to win @ $1.35
Raiders vs. Sharks
12th March 6:15PM
In the final match-up of Round Three, Cronulla will look for back-to-back victories as they enter their clash against the Raiders as $1.60 fancies.
The Sharks were ultra-impressive against the Eels as William Kennedy’s hat-trick of tries led them to a stunning four-point victory.
On the other hand, the Raiders became the latest victims of the rampaging Dolphins, going down by six points after leading by as much as 12 in the first half. Their starting 13 remains unchanged as they await the return of Josh Papalii.
Suggested Bet: Cronulla to win @ $1.60
