NRL 2026 – Round 3 preview, predictions and tips
The NRL rolls into Round Three this weekend, and the only thing that’s been predictable is how unpredictable it is.
Last year’s Premiers, Brisbane, are 0-2, while last year’s wooden spooners, Newcastle, are 2-0, with everyone in between throwing up a few surprises of their own.
Still, I came away with six correct predictions last weekend, which made up for some of my Cheltenham losses. Here’s a look at this week’s action and how I see things going…
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 17th March 2026.
- Thursday 19th March – Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – GIO Stadium
- Friday 20th March – Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers – Allianz Stadium
- Friday 20th March – Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos – AAMI Park
- Saturday 21st March – Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors – McDonald Jones Stadium
- Saturday 21st March – Cronulla Sharks vs The Dolphins – Ocean Protect Stadium
- Saturday 21st March – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers – Polytec Stadium
- Sunday 22nd March – Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra Dragons – CommBank Stadium
- Sunday 22nd March – North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans – Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Thursday 19th March – Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs – GIO Stadium
Form guide
The Raiders are 1-1 to start the year. After a Golden Point victory at Manly in Round One, they were humbled 40-6 by the Warriors last weekend.
The Bulldogs had a bye in Round Two, and their Round One clash was played a week earlier than most, in a 15-14 Golden Point win over the Dragons in Vegas.
Team news
Josh Papalii returns from concussion for the Raiders, which means Morgan Smithies drops to the bench and Matt Timoko moves to number 19.
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Noah Martin 13. Corey Horsburgh 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Zac Hosking 16. Ata Mariota 17. Morgan Smithies 18. Daine Laurie 19. Matthew Timoko 20. Owen Pattie 21. Joseph Roddy 22. Jed Stuart
Bronson Xerri has been left out by the Bulldogs with his future up in the air. Enari Tuala comes in and Sean O’Sullivan joins the 19-man-squad for a potential club debut.
My prediction – Canberra Raiders 14-26 Canterbury-Bankstown Buldogs
As my Premiership favourites, I’ll probably be tipping the Bulldogs most weeks. They weren’t overly convincing in Vegas, but they still got the job done and they’ve had a couple of weeks to reset. The Raiders were dreadful last weekend and I can’t back them after that performance, although I would expect an improvement.
Betting tips
This one’s split straight down the middle, so I’m getting straight on the Bulldogs to win at 1/1. Stephen Crichton is well priced at 15/8 for an anytime try as well.
Friday 20th March – Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers – Allianz Stadium
Form guide
The Roosters bounced back from a loss in Round One to beat the Rabbitohs 26-18 last weekend.
As for the Panthers, they’ve started the year on fire. Their 26-6 win over the Sharks made it 2/2, with just six points conceded.
Team news
Reece Robson will make his Roosters debut ahead of schedule, so Benaiah Ioelu drops to the bench. Otherwise, the Chooks are unchanged from last week.
Liam Martin returns for the Panthers, so Luke Garner goes to the bench. Jack Cogger misses out with a head knock and Freddy Lussick comes on to the interchange.
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Billy Phillips 16. Scott Sorensen 17. Luke Garner 18. Izack Tago 19. Kalani Going 20. Tom Ale 21. Jack Cole 22. Jesse McLean
My prediction – Sydney Roosters 12-20 Penrith Panthers
This could go either way, but after the start they’ve made to the year I’m struggling to see anyone beating the Panthers right now. This should be a tough test for them, but they’ve made it through the first two with flying colours.
Betting tips
Casey McLean is the best-priced of Penrith’s likely try scorers at 1/1 for an anytime score. I’ll also back the Panthers in the handicap market. They’re 10/11 with a -4 disadvantage.
Friday 20th March – Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos – AAMI Park
Form guide
Melbourne have started the year in great touch, and their 46-20 win over the Dragons last week made it 2/2 for the year.
The Broncos have had a terrible start to their Premiership defence with an 0-2 record to start the year. They were beaten 26-0 by the Panthers in Round One, then lost 40-32 to the Eels last week.
Team news
Trent Loiero returns on the bench for the Storm after suspension, so Jack Hetherington drops out of the 19. Alec MacDonald also comes into the 19 after concussion.
Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Fa’alogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Moses Leo 5. Nick Meaney 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Joe Chan 12. Ativalu Lisati 13. Tui Kamikamica 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Trent Loiero 16. Davvy Moale 17. Cooper Clarke 18. Alec MacDonald 19. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 20. Jack Hetherington 21. Preston Conn 22. Trent Toelau
Former Storm man Grant Anderson will make his Broncos debut this week, with Gehamat Shibasaki dropped. Jack Gosiewski is ruled out through concussion, so Brendan Piakura comes into the 19 after injury. Adam Reynolds has been named to start, but he’s expected to miss out through a rib injury suffered against the Eels.
My prediction – Melbourne Storm 30-18 Brisbane Broncos
With the way they’ve both started the season, I can’t see past Melbourne in this one. The Broncos will bounce back, but not this week.
Betting tips
The Storm look ok to me with a -8 handicap at 10/11. It’s the same price for them to score first and win, which also looks a solid shout.
Saturday 21st March – Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors – McDonald Jones Stadium
Form guide
The Knights have turned things around in style so far, with two wins from two. They beat the Cowboys in Vegas before a 36-16 win at Manly last week.
The Warriors have also started the year in style. They followed up a big win over the Roosters with a 40-6 demolition of the Raiders last week.
Team news
There are two big losses for the Knights this week, with Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown both ruled out. Fletcher Sharpe is back from injury to replace Brown, while Fletcher Hunt takes over at fullback.
The Warriors have lost Kurt Capewell, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad from last week’s win over Canberra. Taine Tuaupiki comes in at fullback and Luke Hanson makes his NRL debut in the halves. Marata Niukore is back on the bench after injury.
My prediction – Newcastle Knights 8-18 New Zealand Warriors
If Dylan Brown and Kalyn Ponga were fit, this would be a different story, but I just can’t see how the Knights will cope without them. The Warriors are missing some of their big guns too, but I can see them having a bit more in this one.
Betting tips
The Warriors are 10/11 with a -4 handicap, which I’ll be straight on. Leka Halasima looks a good price for an anytime try as well, at 5/4.
Saturday 21st March – Cronulla Sharks vs The Dolphins – Ocean Protect Stadium
Form guide
The Sharks followed up a 50-10 win over the Titans in Round One with a disappointing 26-6 loss at Penrith last weekend.
The Dolphins are also 1-1. After defeat to the Rabbitohs in Round One, they beat the Titans 18-14 in a tight contest last week.
Team news
The Sharks are unchanged from 1-19, although Teig Wilton returns in the extended squad after injury.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Samuel Stonestreet 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Thomas Hazelton 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Chris Veaila 20. Jayden Berrell 21. Mawene Hiroti 22. Teig Wilton
The Dolphins make just one change to their 19, with Sebastian Su’a replacing Brian Pouniu on the bench.
My prediction – Cronulla Sharks 24-18 The Dolphins
This should be a close one, but I’m expecting the Sharks to bounce back from last week’s loss at Penrith. The Dolphins weren’t overly convincing in their win over the Titans, so I can see Cronulla edging this one.
Betting tips
The Sharks are 4/5 in the half-time/full-time market, which is better vlaue than the outright win. I think the Dolphins can run them close, so the 1-12 winning margin for the Sharks is my tip, at 2/1.
Saturday 21st March – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers – Polytec Stadium
Form guide
The Rabbitohs are 1-1 to start the year. A win over the Dolphins was followed by a 26-18 loss to the Roosters last week, although the biggest talking point was Alex Johnston’s record-breaking try.
The Tigers had a bye in Round One, then followed it up with a thumping 44-16 win over the Cowboys last week.
Team news
Jamie Humphreys is back from suspension for the Rabbitohs, so Jayden Sullivan drops to the bench. Tallis Duncan is named to start, with Euan Aitken also dropping to the bench.
Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Tallis Duncan 13. Cameron Murray 14. Peter Mamouzelos 15. Euan Aitken 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jayden Sullivan 18. Lachlan Hubner 19. Moala Graham-Taufa 20. Thomas Fletcher 21. Latrell Siegwalt 22. Liam Le Blanc
Taylan May is ruled out for the Tigers, so Jeral Skelton starts at centre. Patrick Herbert is named in the 19 as he eyes a first NRL appearance since 2022.
My prediction – South Sydney Rabbitohs 30-22 Wests Tigers
This should be a close contest, but I’m backing the Bunnies to bounce back from last week’s loss with a tight win here.
Betting tips
The Rabbitohs are 10/11 with a -6 handicap and 9/4 to win by 1-12 points, which both look ok to me.
Sunday 22nd March – Parramatta Eels vs St George Illawarra Dragons – CommBank Stadium
Form guide
The Eels bounced back from a huge loss against Melbourne in Round One to beat the Broncos 40-32 last week.
The Dragons are 0-2. A 15-14 loss to the Bulldogs in Vegas was followed by a heavy 46-20 loss to Melbourne last weekend.
Team news
J’maine Hopgood returns from suspension for the Eels, so Jack Williams moves to lock and Jack de Belin goes to the bench.
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Jordan Samrani 4. Sean Russell 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Jonah Pezet 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Jack Williams 14. Dylan Walker 15. Sam Tuivaiti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Tallyn Da Silva 18. Jack de Belin 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Charlie Guymer 21. Brian Kelly 22. Luca Moretti
Jacob Liddle is back in the 19 for the Dragons, who are otherwise unchanged.
My prediction – Parramatta Eels 24-12 St George Illawarra Dragons
I can’t see past the Eels here. They’re at home and coming off the back of a great win in Brisbane, so they should be confident for this one.
Betting tips
The Eels should be ok with a -6 handicap at 10/11. Sean Russell is the best-priced in the anytime try market at 11/10.
Sunday 22nd March – North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans – Queensland Country Bank Stadium
Form guide
The Cowboys were humbled 44-16 by the Tigers last week, which followed a 28-18 loss to the Knights in Vegas.
The Titans are 0-2 as well. They were hammered 50-10 by the Sharks in Round One before pushing the Dolphins mightily close last week in an 18-14 loss.
Team news
Skipper Reuben Cotter returns for the Cowboys after missing last week due to family reasons. Kai O’Donnell drops to the bench and Matt Lodge drops out of the 19. Zac Laybutt is back from suspension and comes onto the bench.
Jayden Campbell returns to the Titans’ 19 after injury. Luke Sommerton and Jensen Taumoepeau drop out of the 19 as they look to get back to fitness in QLD Cup.
My prediction – North Queensland Cowboys 28-14 Gold Coast Titans
This game already feels absolutely huge with both of these sides looking for their first win of the year. There’s arguably more pressure on the Cowboys, who’ll be expected to make a Finals charge, and I can see them getting the better of their Queensland rivals here.
Betting tips
I’m jumping straight on the Cowboys at 10/11 with a -4 handicap. I ignored Jaxon Purdue last week and he scored, so I’m back on him in the anytime try market this week, although the bookies have finally caught on and lowered his odds. He’s still 4/5 though, which would be a pretty good return.
