2026 NRL – Round 3: Premierships may not be won in March but…

 

A mini rant

Note to The Prospector: It looks like I’ll be ranting regularly this season, so put on whatever armour you need to endure my outpourings.

When was the last time you saw a game as abominable as the Broncos v Eels match on Thursday night? How on earth can commentators call such trash ‘exciting’? It was execrable! The closeness of the scores was not edge of the seat stuff; rather, it was cover your eyes and watch in horror between your fingers, stomach churning rubbish as you waited for the next kindergarten error, hoping against hope that it wasn’t going to be committed by your side. Parra will be happy to get the two premiership points but let’s not ignore the harsh reality – they only beat a bumbling, fumbling Broncos side that was even more inept. On the basis of that game, neither side will feature come September.

 

Round 2

Enough said about Thursday  night. By contrast, Friday’s games were great viewing. The Wahs continued at start, overcoming poor conditions to put 40 points on the very capable Raiders. Tanah Boyd had another good game as he guided them around the park and, fittingly, scored  try himself, even if somewhat fortuitously. Now they have to win on the road. The Roosters v Rabbitohs game was very enjoyable – hard fought, historical and highly entertaining. Congrats to AJ for breaking the unbreakable try-scoring record, and I thought that the ground authorities handled the aftermath with a lot of common sense, bringing the players off the field until things got settled. Brickbats to the posturing PM who just had to be seen with his scarf – the most easily identifiable spectator who could be fined for going onto the field. A big call out to the Roosters who rode the emotion, hung in there and showed up when it counted to take the game – DCE and Teddy won the really big moments at the end when Latrell (who mostly had a good game) and Cody lost the plot. Koloamatangi was huge again!

On Saturday the Wests Tigers were exciting and thoroughly deserved their win over the Cowboys who are in deep do-do. Payten is under big pressure. The Dragons took it to the Storm for an hour but class told in the end. Faalogo was exciting and looks a great fit for the gap left by Paps. The Panthers did the job very effectively to establish themselves as early season front runners while the Sharks learned yet again how big the gap is between themselves and the very top shelf. The Knights at full strength showed up the mediocre Sea Eagles and then, even with Ponga and Brown off the field for most of the game, were too good. Best was at his best when someone had to stand up, well assisted by the always competitive Gagai. The Dolphins got home eventually against the Titans where one poor choice at a line drop-out changed the momentum of the game.

So, after two rounds, it looks like the Panthers and Storm out in front, the Warriors and Knights next in line, the Wests Tigers and Bulldogs promising, the Sharks tantalising us, the Raiders yet to convince but likely, the Dragons doing better than expected, and the rest making up the numbers.

 

Round 3

Tomorrow night we’ll find out more about the Riders and the Bulldogs as they kick off the new round. The Raiders are at home, which is a big boost to them, and they’ll be keen to put last weekend’s horror behind them. The Bulldogs show up everywhere and can’t be discounted. The battle of the young halves will be a feature. Toss of the coin – Bulldogs.

On Friday evening the Roosters host the Panthers, probably the game of the round. One could get sidetracked into a deep analysis but I think that’s a waste of time and energy. Penrith. The Storm v Broncos game would usually be highly anticipated and a natural choice as game of the round. Here it looks like just another Melbourne downpour with the Broncos getting washed away. A very worrying situation for Brisbane. Get on the Storm.

Saturday afternoon footy starts with the Knights taking on the Warriors in Newcastle, a real tester for both sides after t efforts so far. But the loss of Ponga and Brown is a big blow to the locals and may be enough to tilt the balance in favour of the Wahs. In the twilight game, the battered Sharks host the dilly-dallying Dolphins, both looking to find convincing form. My gut feeling is that Shark Park nets most visiting sides, so put your money on the Sharksin this one. The late game features the Rabbitohs against the Wests Tigers in what should be a cracker if both sides opt to play attacking footy. Cody Walker is the key – keep cool, Cody, and the Bunnies have a real chance. They look good on paper and show the odd glimpse of something worthwhile but need to put together a full 80-minute effort to get the chocolates. If Luai gets the time and space to weave his magic, then catch him, and the Tigers, if you can. Toss of the coin – Wests Tigers.

Come Sunday and the Eels meet the Dragons, a real tester for tipsters. The Eels won last week, the Dragons ran out of puff and lost. But this week I think it might be the other way around. I think the red and whites have shown enough to suggest that they’re better than their two results so far while the Eels have been underwhelming apart for about 15 minutes against the Broncos. I’ll be on the Dragons. The round concludes with the Cowboys at home to the Titans with neither side having shown us much at all so far. the Cowboys have been diabolical while the Titans don’t seem to be able to stay on script. The northerners are due for something better, so I’ll stick my neck out and go with the Cowboys.

The Sea Eagles have, and need, the bye to re-set, re-group and, hopefully, resurrect their faltering start to the season.

 

Tipping

A solid 7/8 last weekend (bloody Broncos cost me a perfect weekend) saw me jump about 175,000 places in the big pond into the top quarter.easy, isn’t it?

 

The Round

To see the who, when and where of Round 3 click here.

 

To read more by Ian Hauser click here.

 

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Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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