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

Review

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The New Zealand Warriors (6 points, +84), Penrith (6 points, +82), and Canterbury-Bankstown (6 points, +5) remained undefeated after Round 3, with Melbourne (4 points, +70) sitting fourth on the ladder.

After several high-scoring games in the opening two rounds, Round 3 was noticeably tighter, with four matches decided by 10 points or less (Canterbury beat Canberra by four, Brisbane beat Melbourne by four, Souths beat Wests by four, Parramatta beat St George Illawarra by 10), which suggests the blowout scores are starting to decrease as teams warm into the new season.

Thomas Jenkins scored four tries as Penrith belted the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium. The Panthers put on 40 straight points after the Roosters scored first through Robert Toia. The ruthless Panthers have conceded just 10 points across three games against 2025 finalists (Brisbane, Cronulla-Sutherland, and the Roosters). GAME BREAKER: The Roosters could have led 10-0 after 13 minutes if Toia had scored his second try, but he lost the ball short of the line. Jenkins scored Penrith’s first try a couple of minutes later as they ran up a 24-4 half-time lead.

The Warriors moved to first with a big win at McDonald Jones Stadium. Without Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown, Newcastle were dominated after an early try to Fletcher Hunt. The Warriors’ first two months are vital as they wait for Luke Metcalf to return, and Tanah Boyd (who finished with 14 points – a try and five goals) is stepping up, with the Warriors scoring 120 points in three games. GAME BREAKER: With the game tied 6-6, the Warriors scored two tries in nine minutes (Jackson Ford and Leka Halasima) to lead 18-6 at half-time.

Brisbane won their first game of 2026 in a Grand Final rematch that had similarities to last October. This time Melbourne led 14-0 at half-time (in front of over 28,000 at AAMI Park) when Joe Chan scored on the break. Brisbane didn’t waste time getting back into the game, with two Jordan Riki tries and one to Kotoni Staggs giving the Broncos the lead after 60 minutes. There were no points in the final 20 minutes as Brisbane repelled everything Melbourne threw at them, claiming their third straight win over the Storm and their first AAMI Park win since 2016. GAME BREAKER: Just like in last year’s finals series, Reece Walsh was a big part of another Broncos comeback: he threw the last pass for Riki’s first try just after half-time and he kicked three goals from three.

Playing just their second game of the season nearly three weeks after their Las Vegas win, the Bulldogs defended their 8–6 half-time lead against Canberra at GIO Stadium for 30 minutes before Jacob Preston scored. After a heavy defensive workload in constant rain (not helped by some unforced errors and poor discipline), the Raiders could have crumbled, but Savelio Tamale (his second try) answered three minutes later. After kicking the winning Golden Point field goal against Manly, Ethan Sanders was nearly the hero again: he dummied and ran from 15 metres out but was stopped by Connor Tracey. GAME BREAKER: Canterbury found the opening in the Raiders’ resolute defence for an eight-point lead: from 45 metres out, Bailey Hayward ran from dummy half and passed inside for Tracey to break through the middle and pass to Lachlan Galvin. The Bulldogs went right off the next tackle for Preston to score.

  • Jamayne Isaako scored 18 points (a try and seven goals) as The Dolphins beat Cronulla-Sutherland at Ocean Protect Stadium.
  • South Sydney beat the Wests Tigers at Gosford’s Polytec Stadium. Alex Johnston scored the match-winning try as Souths came from 14-12 down at half-time.
  • Tallyn Da Silva scored a double as Parramatta beat St George Illawarra at CommBank Stadium.
  • North Queensland also recorded their first win of 2026, defeating the Gold Coast at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Murray Taulagi (Cowboys) and Jayden Campbell (Titans) both scored doubles.
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Results

Raiders vs Bulldogs

Full Time: Raiders 10 – 14 Bulldogs
Raiders 10 (Tries: Savelio Tamale 3′, 73′. Goals: Ethan Sanders 4′)
Bulldogs 14 (Tries: Connor Tracey 10′; Jacob Preston 70′. Goals: Stephen Crichton 71′. Penalty Goals: Stephen Crichton 15′, 19′)
Half-Time Score: Raiders 6 – 8 Bulldogs
Date: (Thursday Night Football, Round 3)
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Raiders Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Kaeo WeekesFullback000
2Savelio TamaleWinger208
3Simi SasagiCentre000
4Sebastian KrisCentre000
5Xavier SavageWinger000
6Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth000
7Ethan SandersHalfback012
8Josh PapaliiProp000
9Tom StarlingHooker000
10Joseph Tapine (c)Prop000
11Hudson Young2nd Row000
12Noah Martin2nd Row000
13Corey HorsburghLock000
14Jayden BraileyInterchange000
15Zac HoskingInterchange000
16Ata MariotaInterchange000
17Morgan SmithiesInterchange000
18Daine LaurieReserve000
22Jed StuartReserve000
Team Total2110

Bulldogs Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPenalty GoalsPoints
1Connor TraceyFullback1004
2Jacob KirazWinger0000
3Enari TualaCentre0000
4Stephen Crichton (c)Centre0126
5Marcelo MontoyaWinger0000
6Matt BurtonFive-Eighth0000
7Lachlan GalvinHalfback0000
8Max KingProp0000
9Bailey HaywardHooker0000
10Samuel HughesProp0000
11Viliame Kikau2nd Row0000
12Jacob Preston2nd Row1004
13Jaeman SalmonLock0000
14Kurt MannInterchange0000
15Sitili TupouniuaInterchange0000
16Harry HayesInterchange0000
17Josh CurranInterchange0000
19Sean O’SullivanReserve0000
20Jake TurpinReserve0000
Team Total21214

Roosters vs Panthers

Full Time: Roosters 4 – 40 Panthers
Roosters 4 (Tries: Robert Toia 4′)
Panthers 40 (Tries: Thomas Jenkins 15′, 27′, 44′, 64′; Brian To’o 19′; Dylan Edwards 22′, 70′. Goals: Nathan Cleary 21′, 23′, 28′, 66′, 72′. Penalty Goals: Nathan Cleary 34′)
Half-Time Score: Roosters 4 – 24 Panthers
Date: Friday 20th March 2026
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Roosters Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1James Tedesco (c)Fullback000
2Daniel TupouWinger000
3Fetalaiga PaugaCentre000
4Robert ToiaCentre104
5Mark NawaqanitawaseWinger000
6Daly Cherry-EvansFive-Eighth000
7Sam WalkerHalfback000
8Naufahu WhyteProp000
9Reece RobsonHooker000
10Lindsay CollinsProp000
11Angus Crichton2nd Row000
12Siua Wong2nd Row000
13Egan ButcherLock000
14Connor WatsonInterchange000
15Blake SteepInterchange000
16Nat ButcherInterchange000
17Salesi FoketiInterchange000
18Cody RamseyReserve000
20Toby RodwellReserve000
Team Total104

Panthers Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPenalty GoalsPoints
1Dylan EdwardsFullback2008
2Thomas JenkinsWinger40016
3Paul AlamotiCentre0000
4Casey McLeanCentre0000
5Brian To’oWinger1004
6Blaize TalagiFive-Eighth0000
7Nathan Cleary (c)Halfback05112
8Moses LeotaProp0000
9Mitch KennyHooker0000
10Lindsay SmithProp0000
11Isaiah Papali’i2nd Row0000
12Liam Martin2nd Row0000
13Isaah YeoLock0000
14Freddy LussickInterchange0000
15Billy PhillipsInterchange0000
16Scott SorensenInterchange0000
17Luke GarnerInterchange0000
18Izack TagoReserve0000
21Jack ColeReserve0000
Team Total75140

Storm vs Broncos

Full Time: Storm 14 – 18 Broncos
Storm 14 (Tries: Sualauvi Faalogo 21′; Joe Chan 40′. Goals: Harry Grant 23′, 40′. Penalty Goals: Harry Grant 37′)
Broncos 18 (Tries: Jordan Riki 41′, 51′; Kotoni Staggs 58′. Goals: Reece Walsh 43′, 52′, 59′)
Half-Time Score: Storm 14 – 0 Broncos
Date: Friday 20th March 2026
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne

Storm Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPenalty GoalsPoints
1Sualauvi FaalogoFullback1004
2Will WarbrickWinger0000
3Jack HowarthCentre0000
4Moses LeoCentre0000
5Nick MeaneyWinger0000
6Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth0000
7Jahrome HughesHalfback0000
8Stefano UtoikamanuProp0000
9Harry Grant (c)Hooker0217
10Josh KingProp0000
11Joe Chan2nd Row1004
13Tui KamikamicaLock0000
14Tyran WishartInterchange0000
15Trent LoieroInterchange0000
17Cooper ClarkeInterchange0000
18Alec MacDonald2nd Row0000
19Siulagi Tuimalatu-BrownReserve0000
20Jack HetheringtonInterchange0000
Team Total22114

Broncos Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Reece WalshFullback036
2Josiah KarapaniWinger000
3Kotoni StaggsCentre104
4Deine MarinerCentre000
5Grant AndersonWinger000
6Ezra MamFive-Eighth000
7Adam Reynolds (c)Halfback000
8Corey JensenProp000
9Cory PaixHooker000
10Payne HaasProp000
11Xavier Willison2nd Row000
12Jordan Riki2nd Row208
13Patrick CarriganLock000
14Ben HuntInterchange000
15Ben TaltyInterchange000
16Aublix TawhaReserve000
17Gehamat ShibasakiReserve000
18Brendan PiakuraInterchange000
19Jaiyden HuntReserve000
20Blake MozerReserve000
Team Total3318

Knights vs Warriors

Full Time: Knights 12 – 38 Warriors
Knights 12 (Tries: Fletcher Hunt 3′; Greg Marzhew 65′. Goals: Sandon Smith 4′, 67′)
Warriors 38 (Tries: Erin Clark 12′; Jackson Ford 29′; Leka Halasima 38′; James Fisher-Harris 51′; Tanah Boyd 54′; Luke Hanson 80′. Goals: Tanah Boyd 30′, 39′, 53′, 56′; Jackson Ford 80′. Penalty Goals: Tanah Boyd 25′; Taine Tuaupiki 76′)
Half-Time Score: Knights 6 – 18 Warriors
Date: Saturday 21st March 2026
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Knights Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPenalty GoalsPoints
1Fletcher HuntFullback1004
2Dominic YoungWinger0000
3Dane GagaiCentre0000
4Bradman BestCentre0000
5Greg MarzhewWinger1004
7Sandon SmithHalfback0204
8Jacob SaifitiProp0000
9Phoenix CrosslandHooker0000
10Trey MooneyProp0000
11Dylan Lucas2nd Row0000
12Jermaine McEwen2nd Row0000
13Tyson FrizellInterchange0000
14Thomas CantInterchange0000
15Mat CrokerLock0000
16Pasami SauloInterchange0000
17Francis ManuleleuaInterchange0000
18Tyson GambleFive-Eighth0000
19Harrison GrahamReserve0000
21Cody HopwoodReserve0000
Team Total22012

Warriors Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPenalty GoalsPoints
1Taine TuaupikiFullback0012
2Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger0000
3Ali LeiatauaCentre0000
5Roger Tuivasa-SheckWinger0000
6Luke HansonFive-Eighth1004
7Tanah BoydHalfback14113
8James Fisher-Harris (c)Prop1004
9Wayde EganHooker0000
10Jackson FordProp1106
11Leka HalasimaCentre1004
12Jacob Laban2nd Row0000
13Erin ClarkLock1004
14Sam HealeyInterchange0000
15Demitric VaimaugaInterchange0000
17Marata NiukoreInterchange0000
18Morgan Gannon2nd Row0000
20Alofiana Khan-PereiraReserve0000
23Mitchell BarnettInterchange0000
Team Total65238

Sharks vs Dolphins

Full Time: Sharks 10 – 38 Dolphins
Sharks 10 (Tries: Samuel Stonestreet 26′; Braydon Trindall 48′. Goals: Nicholas Hynes 50′)
Dolphins 38 (Tries: Jake Averillo 19′, 74′; Jamayne Isaako 30′; Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 38′; Selwyn Cobbo 76′; Connelly Lemuelu 79′. Goals: Jamayne Isaako 31′, 39′, 75′, 77′, 79′. Penalty Goals: Jamayne Isaako 55′, 69′)
Half-Time Score: Sharks 4 – 16 Dolphins
Date: Saturday 21st March 2026
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney

Sharks Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1William KennedyFullback000
2Sione KatoaWinger000
3Jesse RamienCentre000
4KL IroCentre000
5Samuel StonestreetWinger104
6Braydon TrindallFive-Eighth104
7Nicholas HynesHalfback012
8Addin Fonua-BlakeProp000
9Blayke Brailey (c)Hooker000
10Thomas HazeltonProp000
11Briton Nikora2nd Row000
12Billy Burns2nd Row000
13Jesse ColquhounLock000
14Siosifa TalakaiInterchange000
15Toby RudolfInterchange000
16Oregon KaufusiInterchange000
17Braden UeleReserve000
21Mawene HirotiReserve000
22Teig WiltonInterchange000
Team Total2110

Dolphins Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPenalty GoalsPoints
1Hamiso Tabuai-FidowFullback1004
2Jamayne IsaakoWinger15216
3Jake AverilloCentre2008
4Herbie FarnworthCentre0000
5Selwyn CobboWinger1004
6Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth0000
7Isaiya Katoa (c)Halfback0000
8Tom GilbertProp0000
9Max PlathHooker0000
11Connelly Lemuelu2nd Row1004
12Kulikefu Finefeuiaki2nd Row0000
13Morgan KnowlesLock0000
14Bradley SchneiderInterchange0000
15Oryn KeeleyInterchange0000
16Felise KaufusiProp0000
17Ray StoneInterchange0000
18Trai FullerReserve0000
19Sebastian Su’aReserve0000
22Brian PouniuReserve0000
Team Total65238

Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers

Full Time: Rabbitohs 20 – 16 Wests Tigers
Rabbitohs 20 (Tries: Jye Gray 3′; Jack Wighton 7′; Latrell Mitchell 51′; Alex Johnston 66′. Goals: Latrell Mitchell 5′, 8′)
Wests Tigers 16 (Tries: Samuela Fainu 36′; Heamasi Makasini 39′. Goals: Adam Doueihi 38′, 39′. Penalty Goals: Adam Doueihi 39′, 55′)
Half-Time Score: Rabbitohs 12 – 14 Wests Tigers
Date: Saturday 21st March 2026
Venue: Polytec Stadium, Gosford

Rabbitohs Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Jye GrayFullback104
2Alex JohnstonWinger104
3Latrell MitchellCentre128
4Jack WightonCentre104
6Cody WalkerFive-Eighth000
7Jamie HumphreysHalfback000
8Tevita TatolaProp000
9Bronson GarlickHooker000
10Keaon KoloamatangiProp000
11David Fifita2nd Row000
12Tallis Duncan2nd Row000
13Cameron Murray (c)Lock000
14Peter MamouzelosInterchange000
16Sean KeppieInterchange000
17Jayden SullivanInterchange000
19Moala Graham-TaufaWinger000
20Thomas FletcherInterchange000
21Latrell SiegwaltReserve000
22Liam Le BlancReserve000
Team Total4220

Wests Tigers Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPenalty GoalsPoints
1Jahream BulaFullback0000
2Sunia TuruvaCentre0000
3Jeral SkeltonWinger0000
4Heamasi MakasiniCentre1004
5Luke LauliliiWinger0000
6Jarome LuaiFive-Eighth0000
7Adam DoueihiHalfback0228
8Terrell MayProp0000
9Apisai KoroisauHooker0000
10Fonua PoleProp0000
11Samuela Fainu2nd Row1004
12Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row0000
13Alex TwalLock0000
14Jock MaddenReserve0000
15Sione FainuInterchange0000
16Royce HuntInterchange0000
17Alex SeyfarthInterchange0000
18Tristan HopeInterchange0000
19Patrick HerbertReserve0000
Team Total22216

Eels vs Dragons

Full Time: Eels 30 – 20 Dragons
Eels 30 (Tries: Jonah Pezet 10′; Tallyn Da Silva 34′, 44′; Kitione Kautoga 38′; Josh Addo-Carr 72′. Goals: Mitchell Moses 10′, 35′, 39′, 46′, 74′)
Dragons 20 (Tries: Luciano Leilua 12′; Jaydn Su’A 23′; Moses Suli 56′. Goals: Valentine Holmes 13′, 25′, 57′. Penalty Goals: Valentine Holmes 3′)
Half-Time Score: Eels 18 – 14 Dragons
Date: Sunday 22nd March 2026
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Eels Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Isaiah IongiFullback000
2Bailey SimonssonWinger000
3Jordan SamraniCentre000
4Sean RussellCentre000
5Josh Addo-CarrWinger104
6Jonah PezetFive-Eighth104
7Mitchell Moses (c)Halfback0510
8J’maine HopgoodInterchange000
9Ryley SmithHooker000
10Junior PauloProp000
11Kelma Tuilagi2nd Row000
12Kitione Kautoga2nd Row104
13Jack WilliamsProp000
14Dylan WalkerLock000
15Sam TuivaitiInterchange000
16Matt DooreyInterchange000
17Tallyn Da SilvaInterchange208
19Joash PapaliiReserve000
20Charlie GuymerReplacement000
Team Total5530

Dragons Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPenalty GoalsPoints
1Clinton Gutherson (c)Fullback0000
2Christian TuipulotuWinger0000
3Moses SuliCentre1004
4Valentine HolmesCentre0318
5Setu TuWinger0000
6Kyle FlanaganFive-Eighth0000
7Daniel AtkinsonHalfback0000
8Emre GulerProp0000
9Damien CookHooker0000
10Toby CouchmanProp0000
11Luciano Leilua2nd Row1004
12Jaydn Su’A2nd Row1004
13Hamish StewartReserve0000
14Jacob LiddleInterchange0000
15Josh KerrInterchange0000
16Blake LawrieLock0000
17Ryan CouchmanInterchange0000
19Mathew FeagaiReserve0000
20Lyhkan King-TogiaInterchange0000
Team Total33120

Cowboys vs Titans

Full Time: Cowboys 30 – 16 Titans
Cowboys 30 (Tries: Murray Taulagi 7′, 23′; Scott Drinkwater 28′; Jaxon Purdue 33′; Jake Clifford 60′. Goals: Jake Clifford 9′, 30′, 34′, 61′. Penalty Goals: Jake Clifford 58′)
Titans 16 (Tries: Jayden Campbell 14′, 19′; Kurtis Morrin 41′. Goals: Jayden Campbell 15′, 42′)
Half-Time Score: Cowboys 22 – 10 Titans
Date: Sunday 22nd March 2026
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville

Cowboys Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPenalty GoalsPoints
1Scott DrinkwaterFullback1004
2Braidon BurnsWinger0000
3Jaxon PurdueCentre1004
4Tom ChesterCentre0000
5Murray TaulagiWinger2008
6Jake CliffordFive-Eighth14113
7Tom Dearden (c)Halfback0000
8Coen HessInterchange0000
9Reed MahoneyHooker0000
10Jason TaumaloloProp0000
11Heilum Luki2nd Row0000
12Sam McIntyre2nd Row0000
13Reuben CotterLock0000
14Soni LukeInterchange0000
16Griffin NeameProp0000
20Kaiden LahrsInterchange0000
21Matthew LodgeInterchange0000
Team Total54130

Titans Team

NumberPlayerPositionTriesGoalsPoints
1Keano KiniFullback000
2Sialetili FaeamaniWinger000
3Jojo FifitaCentre000
4Max FeagaiCentre000
5Phillip SamiWinger000
6AJ BrimsonFive-Eighth000
7Lachlan IliasReplacement000
8Moeaki FotuaikaProp000
9Sam VerrillsHooker000
10Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (c)Prop000
11Arama Hau2nd Row000
12Beau Fermor2nd Row000
13Chris RandallLock000
14Kurtis MorrinInterchange104
15Tukimihia SimpkinsInterchange000
16Klese HaasInterchange000
17Cooper BaiInterchange000
19Jayden CampbellHalfback2212
22Josh PatstonReserve000
Team Total3216

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