NRL 2026 Round 3
Canberra Raiders vs Canterbury Bulldogs
The Raiders and Bulldogs will kick off Round 3 on Thursday night. After beating the Sea Eagles in Golden Point in Round 1, the Raiders got their behinds handed to them by the Warriors in Round 2, losing 6-40. The Bulldogs have been putting their feet up since their Round 1 Golden Point win over the Dragons in Las Vegas, as they had the bye last round. This should be an interesting clash, and the market has the two teams pretty close in the odds.
Josh Papali’i looks set to return from concussion protocols, and other than that, it looks like a pretty set Raiders team. For the Bulldogs, news broke about Bronson Xerri requesting an immediate release. Not sure how much truth there is to that, but it’s likely he’ll be dropped down to the NSW Cup. These two teams played each other once last year, and it was the Bulldogs who got the win.
Predicted Squads
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Savielo Tamale, Matthew Timoko, Sebastian Kris, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Ethan Sanders, Josh Papali'i, Tom Starling, Joe Tapine, Hudson Young, Noah Martin, Corey Horsburgh, Morgan Smithies, Zac Hosking, Ata Mariota & Simi Sasagi
Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz, Enari Tuala, Stephen Crichton, Marcelo Montoya, Matt Burton, Lachlan Galvin, Max King, Bailey Hayward, Samuel Hughes, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Sitili Tupouniua, Harry Hayes & Josh Curran
Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers
The Roosters will have a tough time against the Panthers in this Friday night clash. After losing to the Warriors in the first round, the Roosters bounced back well against the archrivals, the Rabbitohs. The Panthers are continuing to hum along and remain the top choice for bookies to take out the Premiership at this early stage. They are currently two from two with wins over the Broncos and Sharks, conceding just six points across both games.
Billy Smith was a late scratching for the Roosters in Round 2, and he remains in concussion protocols for this game. For the Panthers, both Liam Martin and Liam Henry are available for selection for this game. Meanwhile, Jack Cogger is set to miss this game after suffering a head knock against the Sharks. The Roosters may be buoyed by their win last time out, but the Panthers look like a well-oiled machine already, and it’s difficult to see the Roosters beating them.
Predicted Squads
Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Fetalaiga Pauga, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daly Cherry-Evans, Sam Walker, Naufahu Whyte, Benaiah Ioelu, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Siua Wong, Egan Butcher, Connor Watson, Blake Steep, Nat Butcher & Salesi Foketi
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Thomas Jenkins, Paul Alamoti, Casey McLean, Brian To'o, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Isaiah Papali'i, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Freddy Lussick, Luke Garner, Scott Sorensen & Billy Phillips
Melbourne Storm vs Brisbane Broncos
The defending Premiers will be looking to avoid a 0-3 start to the season, but they face one of the toughest opponents in the Storm. The Storm are currently sitting pretty at the top of the ladder, and they are playing at home. Unsurprisingly, the Storm are the favourites for this one, and they would love to avenge their 22-26 Grand Final loss to the Broncos in 2025. Nobody really likes playing in Melbourne, and the Broncos have just a 19% win rate at AAMI Park.
For the Storm, Trent Loiero is available for selection again after serving his two-match suspension. Alec MacDonald should also be available for the home team after missing the last game due to concussion protocols. Jack Gosiewski will miss this game for the Broncos, as he is in concussion protocols. We could also see Grant Anderson make his club debut. To put it simply, the Storm have looked good, and the Broncos haven’t. Take the Storm.
Predicted Squads
Melbourne Storm - Sua Fa'alogo, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Moses Leo, Nick Meaney, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant, Josh King, Joe Chan, Ativalu Lisati, Trent Loiero, Tyran Wishart, Cooper Clark, Tui Kamikamica & Alec MacDonald
Brisbane Broncos - Reece Walsh, Grant Anderson, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Deine Mariner, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Corey Jensen, Cory Paix, Payne Haas, Ben Talty, Jordan Riki, Patrick Carrigan, Ben Hunt, Xavier Willison, Jaiyden Hunt & Aublix Tawha
Newcastle Knights vs New Zealand Warriors
I didn’t think I would say this about the Knights, but this is a top-four clash! Unfortunately for the Knights, they lost two of their best players in their game last time out against the Sea Eagles. Both Kayla Ponga and Dylan Brown are set to miss multiple weeks. That bodes well for the Warriors, though, who are currently sitting in second place on the ladder, thanks to their wins over the Roosters and Raiders so far.
This will be the first time the Warriors travel to Australia as they are playing in Newcastle, but with the injuries to the Knights, there has never been a better time to play them this season. Both teams have kicked off this season with a perfect 2-0, and this will obviously change for one of them in this game. The Warriors have a couple of injury concerns themselves, including with Chanel Harris-Tavita, who is in concussion protocols.
Predicted Squads
Newcastle Knights - Fletcher Hunt, Dominic Young, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Sandon Smith, Fletcher Sharpe, Jacob Saifiti, Phoenix Crossland, Trey Mooney, Dylan Lucas, Jermaine McEwen, Mat Croker, Tyson Frizell, Thomas Cant, Pasami Saulo & Francis Manuleleua
New Zealand Warriors - Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Ali Leiataua, Adam Pompey, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Tanah Boyd, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Leka Halasima, Jacob Laban, Erin Clark, Sam Healey, Demitric Vaimauga & Jackson Ford
Cronulla Sharks vs Dolphins
The Sharks welcome the Dolphins to Ocean Protect Stadium in the middle Saturday game. The home side got off to the best start in Round 1, beating the Titans 50-10, but were dropped back down to Earth thanks to the Panthers last time out, 6-26. The Dolphins are the only Queensland team that’s won a game this season so far! They beat the Titans 18-14 last time out, after losing to the Rabbitohs 30-40 in Round 1.
It’s unlikely we’ll see many, if any, changes for the Sharks. For the Dolphins, their biggest concern seems to be Tom Flegler at the moment, who left the field in their last game with a rib injury. It’s interesting because both teams come into this game 1-1, and the team they both have beaten are the Titans. The Sharks are playing at home, though, and they did get the more convincing win over the Titans compared to the Dolphins.
Predicted Squads
Cronulla Sharks - Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, KL Iro, Sam Stonestreet, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Thomas Hazelton, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Jesse Colquhoun, Sifa Talakai, Toby Rudolf, Billy Burns & Braden Uele
Dolphins - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jake Averillo, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath, Tom Flegler, Connelly Lemuelu, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Morgan Knowles, Kurt Donoghoe, Oryn Keeley, Felise Kaufusi & Ray Stone
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers
Wrapping things up on Saturday night are the Rabbitohs and Tigers. The Rabbitohs come into this game with a record of 1-1 after beating the Dolphins in Round 1, but going down to the Roosters in Round 2. There was a lot of emotion around that Round 2 game after Alex Johnston broke the all-time try-scoring record. But all that is behind them now, and they can focus purely on the footy.
The Tigers played their first game of the season in Round 2 after having the bye in Round 1. They looked good beating the Cowboys 44-16. I think the Rabbitohs are a better team than the Cowboys this year, but I am sniffing a bit of an upset here. Jamie Humphries looks set to return for the Rabbitohs, and Taylan May may miss this one for the Tigers after injuring his shoulder. With this game played at Gosford, there is no true home advantage either.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
 | Tigers +8.5 | NZ$1.57 |
 | First 10 Minutes Winner - Tigers | NZ$1.96 |
 | Tigers +8.5 | NZ$1.57 |
Predicted Squads
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Jye Gray, Alex Johnston, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Cody Walker, Jamie Humphries, Tevita Tatola, Brandon Smith, Keaon Koloamatangi, David Fifita, Euan Aitken, Cameron Murray, Peter Mamouzelos, Tallis Duncan, Lachlan Hubner & Sean Keppie
Wests Tigers - Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Starford To'a, Heamasi Makasini, Luke Laulilii, Jarome Luai, Adam Doueihi, Terrell May, Api Koroisu, Fonua Pole, Samuela Fainu, Kai Pearce-Paul, Alex Twal, Jock Madden, Sione Fainu, Royce Hunt & Alex Seyfarth
Parramatta Eels vs St. George Illawarra Dragons
The first Sunday game sees the Eels welcome the Dragons to CommBank Stadium. After losing 4-52 to the Storm in Round 1, not many gave the Eels a sniff of a chance against the Broncos in Round 2. It looked bleak with the Broncos piling in two tries in the first 10 minutes. But the Eels managed to turn that one around, winning 40-32. The Dragons come into this clash 0-2 after losses to the Bulldogs and Storm.
For the Eels, J’maine Hopgood looks set to return from suspension. Things look a lot more serious for the Dragons, with both Daniel Atkinson and Kyle Flanagan in doubt for this game. The Eels have a decent record here at CommBank Stadium, winning 62% of their games; the Dragons have a 24% win rate. All signs point towards the Eels as they look to build some surprising momentum into the 2026 season.
Predicted Squads
Parramatta Eels - Isaiah Iongi, Bailey Simonsson, Sean Russell, Jordan Samrani, Josh Addo-Carr, Jonah Pezet, Mitchell Moses, J’maine Hopgood, Ryley Smith, Junior Paulo, Kelma Tuilagi, Kitione Kautoga, Jack de Belin, Dylan Walker, Jack Williams, Matt Dorey & Tallyn Da Silva
St. George Illawarra Dragons - Clint Gutherson, Christian Tuipulotu, Moses Suli, Valentine Holmes, Setu Tu, Kyle Flanagan, Daniel Atkinson, Emre Guler, Damien Cook, Toby Couchman, Luciano Leilua, Jaydn Su'A, Hamish Stewart, Hame Sele, Josh Kerr, Blake Lawrie & Ryan Couchman
North Queensland Cowboys vs Gold Coast Titans
Wrapping up Round 3 is a clash between two Queensland teams, who are both yet to get on the board with a win in the 2026 season. The Cowboys will be happy to be playing in front of their home crowd for the first time in 2026. So far, the Cowboys have lost to the Knights and the Tigers. The Titans lost to the Sharks in Round 1, and then last time out, fell just short against the Dolphins.
Reuben Cotter is expected to be back for the Cowboys after missing the clash against the Tigers. Zac Laybutt could also return for the Cowboys after serving his pre-season suspension. The biggest news out of the Titans camp is that Jayden Campbell is expected to make his 2026 debut. Will that be enough to get the Titans their first win of the 2026 season? I’m not too sure, especially considering they are playing in Townsville.
Predicted Squads
North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Braidon Burns, Jaxon Purdue, Zac Laybutt, Murray Taulagi, Jake Clifford, Tom Dearden, Griffin Neame, Reed Mahoney, Jason Taumalolo, Heilum Luki, Sam McIntyre, Reuben Cotter, Coen Hess, Soni Luke, Kai O'Donnell & Tom Chester
Gold Coast Titans - Keano Kini, Jaylan De Groot, Max Feagai, Jojo Fifita, Phillip Sami, AJ Brimson, Jayden Campbell, Moeaki Fotuaika, Sam Verrills, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Arama Hau, Beau Fermor, Chris Randall, Kurtis Morrin, Klese Haas, Cooper Bai & Luke Sommerton
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