2025 NRL: Round 3 Recap

Check out what happened in round 3 of the National Rugby League competition.

Review

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Melbourne (6 points, +44) and Canterbury-Bankstown (6, +32) are the only undefeated teams after Round 3.

Manly Warringah (4, +38), Wests Tigers (4, +36), Brisbane (4, +36), Cronulla-Sutherland (4, +33), NZ Warriors (4, +6), and the Gold Coast Titans (4, +4) make up the top eight.

Melbourne won an entertaining Grand Final rematch against Penrith at AAMI Park. The game lived up to the blockbuster Thursday night timeslot: the Storm raced to a 14-0 lead as Nathan Cleary (after colliding with Jahrome Hughes) was ruled out with a Category 1 head knock; a double to Paul Alamoti got the Panthers within four at half-time, before Casey McLean gave Penrith the lead early in the second half. Melbourne rebounded through Xavier Coates and Tyran Wishart to lead 24-16. Brian To’o scored two tries to keep Penrith in touch, but a Ryan Papenhuyzen try in the 72nd minute gave Melbourne a big enough buffer.

Canterbury stayed undefeated with a low-scoring win over Parramatta at CommBank Stadium. The Bulldogs led 14-4 at half-time (tries to Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Bronson Xerri, and Blake Wilson) and defended that lead in the second half, despite a try to Josh Addo-Carr (his first for Parramatta) against his former club.

The New Zealand Warriors beat the Sydney Roosters at Go Media Stadium, with a double to Ali Leiataua.

Brisbane won their fifth straight XXXX Derby, beating North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium. Payne Haas sealed the win with a 30 metre solo run to the tryline.

Cronulla-Sutherland had a comfortable win over South Sydney at Sharks Stadium. They led 20-0 at half-time, with their third try a length-of-the-field display started by Ronaldo Mulitalo in his in-goal and finished by Kayal Iro.

The Wests Tigers beat the Dolphins at Kayo Stadium, with a double to Sunia Turuva. Trailing 18-12 at half-time, the Tigers scored three tries in the last 17 minutes.

The Gold Coast won their first game of 2025, beating Newcastle at Cbus Super Stadium, with Jayden Campbell scoring 14 points (a try and five goals).

Reuben Garrick scored 28 points (four tries and six goals) as Manly comfortably beat Canberra at 4 Pines Park. The game turned in the 21st minute when Corey Horsburgh was sin-binned: the Sea Eagles led 24-0 by the time Horsburgh returned, with two tries to Ethan Bullemor.

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Results

Here’s the team news for round 3 of the NRL season. The teams are to be announced at 4pm on Tuesday.

Check out our round 3 predictions here.

Round 3 Teams

Melbourne Storm 30 defeated Penrith Panthers 24 (AAMI Park, 20/3/2025, 20:00)

Storm: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Grant Anderson 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 20. Kane Bradley

Players cut from final squad: 17. Lazarus Vaalepu 18. Bronson Garlick 19. Joe Chan 21. Coby Williamson

Panthers: 22. Thomas Jenkins 5. Brian To’o 3. Izack Tago 4. Paul Alamoti 24. Casey McLean 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner 18. Blaize Talagi 14. Brad Schneider

Players cut from final squad: 1. Daine Laurie 19. Trent Toelau 20. Matt Eisenhuth 21. Luke Sommerton

Referee: Adam Gee
Bunker: Chris Butler

New Zealand Warriors 14 defeated Sydney Roosters 6 (Go Media Stadium, 21/3/2025, 18:00)

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Taine Tuaupiki 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Adam Pompey 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Luke Metcalf 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jackson Ford 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Leka Halasima 18. Jacob Laban

Players cut from final squad: 20. Te Maire Martin 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Bunty Afoa 23. Rocco Berry

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Mark Nawaqanitawase 4. Robert Toia 5. Dominic Young 6. Sandon Smith 7. Chad Townsend 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 16. Blake Steep 18. Hugo Savala 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Ethan Roberts

Players cut from final squad: 15. Salesi Foketi 17. Lindsay Collins 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Billy Smith

Referee: Ashley Klein
Bunker: Liam Kennedy

Brisbane Broncos 26 defeated North Queensland Cowboys 16 (Suncorp Stadium, 21/3/2025, 20:00)

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Deine Mariner 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Jesse Arthars 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Patrick Carrigan 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Jack Gosiewski 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 14. Billy Walters 15. Corey Jensen 16. Xavier Willison 17. Brendan Piakura 18. Tyson Smoothy

Players cut from final squad: 19. Kotoni Staggs 20. Martin Taupau 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Jock Madden

Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Robert Derby 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Jake Clifford 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Sam McIntyre 15. Jeremiah Nanai 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 21. Karl Lawton

Players cut from final squad: 18. Harrison Edwards 19. Thomas Duffy 20. Thomas Mikaele 22. Jaxson Paulo

Referee: Todd Smith
Bunker: Matt Noyen

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 27 defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 (Sharks Stadium, 22/3/2025, 15:00)

Sharks: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Hohepa Puru

Players cut from final squad: 18. Billy Burns 19. Mawene Hiroti 21. Niwhai Puru 22. Jayden Berrell

Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Jack Wighton 4. Campbell Graham 18.Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Tallis Duncan 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Liam Le Blanc 17. Tevita Tatola 5. Fletcher Myers

Players cut from final squad: 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Jacob Host 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Salesi Ataata

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Bunker: Chris Butler

Dolphins 18 lost to Wests Tigers 30 (Kayo Stadium, 22/3/2025, 17:30)

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 21. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 12. Max Plath 22. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Tom Gilbert 11. Oryn Keeley 14. Kurt Donoghoe 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Ray Stone 20. Kenny Bromwich

Players cut from final squad: 15. Josh Kerr 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Max Feagai

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Latu Fainu

Players cut from final squad: 19. Heath Mason 20. Charlie Staines 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Solomona Faataape

Referee: Peter Gough
Bunker: Grant Atkins

Gold Coast Titans 26 defeated Newcastle Knights 6 (CBUS Super Stadium, 22/3/2025, 19:35)

Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Tony Francis 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita 6. AJ Brimson 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Klese Haas 12. Beau Fermor 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 14. Chris Randall 15. David Fifita 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 17. Brock Gray 18. Jaylan De Groot

Players cut from final squad: 19. Arama Hau 20. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 21. Tom Weaver 22. Ken Maumalo

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Brodie Jones 12. Tyson Frizell 16. Thomas Cant 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 19. Jermaine McEwen 18. Kyle McCarthy

Players cut from final squad: 11. Dylan Lucas 20. Will Pryce 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Tyrone Thompson

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Bunker: Matt Noyen

Parramatta Eels 8 lost to Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 16 (CommBank Stadium, 23/3/2025, 16:05)

Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi 5. Jordan Samrani 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Zac Lomax 21. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 10. Junior Paulo 22. Joey Lussick 12. Jack Williams 11. Shaun Lane 16. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 8. Joe Ofahengaue 14. Ryley Smith 15. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti 19. Joash Papali’i

Players cut from final squad: 2. Sean Russell 9. Brendan Hands 18. Ryan Matterson 20. Dan Keir

Bulldogs: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Bailey Hayward 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Josh Curran 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 16. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 11. Sitili Tupouniua 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 17. Kurtis Morrin 19. Joseph O’Neill

Players cut from final squad: 20. Jack Todd 21. Blake Taaffe 22. Luke Smith 23. Jonathan Sua

Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Bunker: Gerard Sutton

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 40 defeated Canberra Raiders 12 (4 Pines Park, 23/3/2025, 18:15)

Sea Eagles: 5. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 19. Clayton Faulalo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Josh Aloiai 22. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega

Players cut from final squad: 1. Tom Trbojevic 18. Tommy Talau 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Nathan Brown

Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Corey Horsburgh 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 16. Trey Mooney 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Simi Sasagi 17. Ata Mariota 19. Albert Hopoate

Players cut from final squad: 18. Danny Levi 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Jed Stuart 22. Ethan Sanders

Referee: Grant Atkins
Bunker: Ashley Klein

Match Review

Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos), Grade 1 Shoulder Charge. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $3000 fine.
Jye Gray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Grade 1 Dangerous Contact. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $1000 fine.
Sunia Turuva (Wests Tigers), Grade 1 Crusher Tackle. Outcome: Early Guilty Plea – $3000 fine.