NRL 2025, Round 3: Anyone for humble pie?

 

Round 2 of the NRL demonstrated that it’s all too easy to get carried away with the emotion of good performances first up. And so we cocky tipsters came a real gutser when three hot favourites copped significant defeats in Round 2. The Roosters scored one of their great wins when they fielded a seriously undermanned, but cocky, side to take it up to the four-time reigning premiers, Penrith, and roll them. Didn’t we all shake our heads over that one? Did the Panthers look a bit tired? Or is that reading too much into it? Earlier, the Warriors thrilled their home fans with an unexpected, convincing win over the highly fancied Sea Eagles. So much for northern beaches Turbo power. Then, on Saturday night, the Raiders showed that their hot streak from Las Vegas was no one-off trick when they blew the Broncos off the park in Canberra. Three hot tips, three losses. Humble pie, anyone?

 

Elsewhere, the Knights were too strong for a fumbling Dolphins outfit who were also ill-disciplined and gave the ball away far too often.  Basic stuff, Dolphins! The Dragons went close but young Humphreys had another strong outing to get the Rabbitohs over the line in the dying minutes. 2-0 for Wayne’s boys, heartache for the Dragons. As expected, the Sharks feasted on a poor Cowboys outfit that is looking like easy fodder at the moment. It’s hard to know how good the Wests Tigers were in their good win because the Eels were simply dreadful. Even when they had a sustained attacking period midway through the second half, Parramatta never looked like scoring. But the Tigers will take the two points, thank you very much. The Titans rounded out a poor weekend for the Queensland sides when they were no match for the Bulldogs who will sweat on the absence of the injured Burton and Kikau in the coming weeks.

 

So we come to Round 3. And what a way to kick it off tonight – the Grand Final rematch between Melbourne (at home) and the Panthers who will be smarting at their underwhelming performance last weekend. The Storm and Bellamy have all the motivation they need and will be fresh after the bye. The Panthers won’t countenance successive defeats but will need to improve by a long way if they want to avoid going  1-2. They’ll be without the injured Edward’s but Laurie is a more than useful replacement. We’ll see if they’re tired or not. So here’s the first of the new season’s major conundrums: never tip against the Storm, especially at home, but don’t bet on Penrith losing two in a row. I’ll go with the Storm, just.

 

Friday night footy starts with last weekend’s surprise winners, the Warriors and the Roosters, facing off in Auckland. How do you pick this one? Is the home crowd worth a few points on the back of last week’s effort? Or can Teddy and Co. spring another surprise? Sandon Smith was a revelation last week but so was Luke Metcalf. Somehow I think the Roosters might just have enough old stagers on board to sneak home. Then it’s the Queensland derby between the Broncos and the Cowboys, a game which usually brings out the best in both sides. Let’s hope there were a few home truths told behind closed doors in both camps during the week after both sides put in poor efforts in Round 2. My gut tells me that the Broncos will respond better with Reynolds kicking them to victory with his inventory of tricks.

 

On Saturday afternoon we’ll find out just how good the Rabbitohs are when they play away to the Sharks. I had enough faith to stick with Souths last week (and didn’t they make me chew my nails until the very end?), but I’m afraid reality catches up with them this time. The Sharks may not yet be firing on all cylinders but I think they’ll be on six of them while the Rabbitohs are still somewhere between a two stroke and a four. The twilight game sees the Dolphins at home for the first time this year against the Wests Tigers. It’s now or never for the Phins – lose this one and they start to lose touch with the leading pack. Luai and Galvin look good together while I’ve always had a strong opinion of Doueihi. Purely on the basis of sentiment and against what I’ve just written, I’ll go for the Dolphins. The late game has the Titans at home to the Knights. The Titans look good on paper with a talented pack and some crack backs who could/should break games open. The Knights are bustling, in your face, persistent and relentless. They’re workmanlike up front and lethal at the back through Ponga and Best. Stay with the Knights, say I.

On Sunday afternoon the Eels host the Bulldogs, which could be more interesting than it looks at first glance. The Dogs will likely be without Burton and Kikau for a month, a significant loss of both attacking and defensive power. And yet they stepped up last weekend. The Eels were hopeless; the home crowd booed Dylan Brown – never a good look; no attack, little defence. It’s hard to go past the Bulldogs. Finally, the Sea Eagles tackle the Raiders at Brookvale, never an easy place to visit. Are DCE and Turbo fit enough to play or should they be managed? Can the men from the capital make it 3-0? Manly may well be ripe for the taking here while Sticky’s blokes are hot to trot. As I said, Brookie will be a challenge but I expect the Raiders to do enough to stay near the top of the ladder.

 

The Dragons have the bye.

 

I wonder what will be on the menu next week?

 

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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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