
A full wrap of the weekend’s action – MONDAY’S EXPERT recaps all the teamsheets, details, scores and scorers from Round 3 of the NRL, with heaps more info like the current ladder, stats leaders, match review, POTY standings, scorigami watch, crowd figures and fixtures for next week.
All listed times are venue local.
RELATED: See the full list of 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership Draw and Results.
Tracey magic guides Bulldogs home in wet
19 Mar 2026 9:48PM | AJ Lucantonio
Canberra Raiders 10 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 14
Venue: GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal
Date: Thu, 19th March. Kickoff: 8:00 PM. Halftime: Canterbury 8-6. Penalties: Canterbury 9-3. Referee: Adam Gee. Crowd: 13,723.
CANBERRA RAIDERS (10)
Tries: Savelio Tamale (2)
Conversions: Ethan Sanders (1/2)
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (14)
Tries: Connor Tracey, Jacob Preston
Conversions: Stephen Crichton (1/2)
Penalty Goals: Stephen Crichton (2/2)
Canberra: Weekes, Tamale, Sasagi, Kris, Savage; Strange, Sanders; Papalii, Starling, Tapine (C), Young, Martin, Horsburgh. Int: Brailey, Hosking, Mariota, Smithies.
Canterbury: Tracey, Kiraz, Tuala, Crichton (C), Montoya; Burton, Galvin; King, Hayward, Hughes, Kikau, Preston, Salmon. Int: Mann, Tupouniua, Hayes, Curran.
Panthers pounce on roasted Chooks
20 Mar 2026 11:02PM | Andrew Taranto
Sydney Roosters 4 Penrith Panthers 40
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal
Date: Fri, 20th March. Kickoff: 6:00 PM. Halftime: Penrith 24-4. Penalties: Penrith 7-3. Referee: Grant Atkins. Crowd: 22,128.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS (4)
Tries: Robert Toia
Conversions: Sam Walker (0/1)
PENRITH PANTHERS (40)
Tries: Thomas Jenkins (4), Brian To’o, Dylan Edwards (2)
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (5/7)
Penalty Goals: Nathan Cleary (1/1)
Sydney: Tedesco (C), Tupou, Pauga, Toia, Nawaqanitawase; Cherry-Evans, Walker; Whyte, Robson, Collins, Crichton, Wong, Butcher. Int: Watson, Steep, Butcher, Foketi.
Penrith: Edwards, Jenkins, Alamoti, Mclean, To’o; Talagi, Cleary (C); Leota, Kenny, Smith, Papali’i, Martin, Yeo. Int: Lussick, Phillips, Sorensen, Garner.
20 Mar 2026 10:13PM | Andrew Ferguson
Melbourne Storm 14 Brisbane Broncos 18
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne / Wurundjeri
Date: Fri, 20th March. Kickoff: 8:00 PM. Halftime: Melbourne 14-0. Penalties: Brisbane 6-5. Referee: Todd Smith. Crowd: 28,245.
MELBOURNE STORM (14)
Tries: Sualauvi Faalogo, Joe Chan
Conversions: Harry Grant (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Harry Grant (1/1)
BRISBANE BRONCOS (18)
Tries: Jordan Riki (2), Kotoni Staggs
Conversions: Reece Walsh (3/3)
Melbourne: Fa’alogo, Warbrick, Howarth, Leo, Meaney; Munster, Hughes; Utoikamanu, Grant (C), King, Chan, MacDonald, Kamikamica. Int: Wishart, Loiero, Clarke, Tuimalatu-Brown.
Brisbane: Walsh, Karapani, Staggs, Mariner, Anderson; Mam, Hunt; Jensen, Paix, Haas, Willison, Riki, Carrigan (C). Int: Talty, Piakura.
Warriors steamroll Knights to remain unbeaten
21 Mar 2026 5:10PM | Robert Crosby
Newcastle Knights 12 Warriors 38
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal
Date: Sat, 21st March. Kickoff: 3:00 PM. Halftime: Warriors 18-6. Penalties: Warriors 11-4. Referee: Liam Kennedy. Crowd: 21,682.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (12)
Tries: Fletcher Hunt, Greg Marzhew
Conversions: Sandon Smith (2/2)
WARRIORS (38)
Tries: Erin Clark, Tanah Boyd, Jackson Ford, Leka Halasima, James Fisher-Harris, Luke Hanson
Conversions: Tanah Boyd (3/4), Jackson Ford (1/1), Leka Halasima (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Tanah Boyd (1/1), Taine Tuaupiki (1/1)
Newcastle: Hunt, Young, Gagai, Best, Marzhew; Gamble, Smith; Saifiti (C), Crossland, Mooney, Lucas, McEwen, Croker. Int: Frizell, Cant, Saulo, Manuleleua.
Warriors: Tuaupiki, Watene-Zelezniak, Leiataua, Halasima, Tuivasa-Sheck; Hanson, Boyd; Fisher-Harris (C), Egan, Ford, Gannon, Laban, Clark. Int: Healey, Vaimauga, Niukore, Barnett.
Dolphins dominate questionable Sharks effort
21 Mar 2026 8:05PM | Josh Robertson
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 10 Dolphins 38
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal
Date: Sat, 21st March. Kickoff: 5:30 PM. Halftime: Dolphins 16-4. Penalties: Dolphins 6-1. Referee: Gerard Sutton. Crowd: 11,096.
CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (10)
Tries: Samuel Stonestreet, Braydon Trindall
Conversions: Nicho Hynes (1/2)
DOLPHINS (38)
Tries: Jake Averillo (2), Jamayne Isaako, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo, Connelly Lemuelu
Conversions: Jamayne Isaako (5/6)
Penalty Goals: Jamayne Isaako (2/2)
Cronulla: Kennedy, Katoa, Ramien, Iro, Stonestreet; Trindall, Hynes; Fonua-Blake, Brailey (C), Hazelton, Nikora, Burns, Colquhoun. Int: Talakai, Rudolf, Kaufusi, Wilton.
Dolphins: Tabuai-Fidow, Isaako, Averillo, Farnworth, Cobbo; Nikorima, Katoa (C); Gilbert, Plath, Kaufusi, Lemuelu, Finefeuiaki, Knowles. Int: Schneider, Keeley, Stone.
Souths win, Tigers lose (Luai and Doueihi)
21 Mar 2026 9:49PM | Andrew Ferguson
South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 Wests Tigers 16
Venue: Polytec Stadium, Gosford / Darkinjung
Date: Sat, 21st March. Kickoff: 7:35 PM. Halftime: Wests Tigers 14-12. Penalties: Wests Tigers 7-5. Referee: Wyatt Raymond. Crowd: 19,940.
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (20)
Tries: Jye Gray, Latrell Mitchell (2), Alex Johnston
Conversions: Latrell Mitchell (2/4)
WESTS TIGERS (16)
Tries: Sione Fainu, Heamasi Makasini
Conversions: Adam Doueihi (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Adam Doueihi (2/2)
South Sydney: Gray, Johnston, Mitchell, Wighton, Graham-Taufa; Walker, Humphreys; Tatola, Garlick, Koloamatangi, Fifita, Duncan, Murray (C). Int: Mamouzelos, Keppie, Sullivan, Fletcher.
Wests Tigers: Bula, Skelton, Turuva, Makasini, Laulilii; Luai (C), Doueihi; May, Koroisau, Pole, Fainu, Pearce-Paul, Twal. Int: Fainu, Hunt, Seyfarth, Hope.
Parramatta claim back-to-back wins as Dragons leave more questions
22 Mar 2026 5:56PM | AJ Lucantonio
Parramatta Eels 30 St George Illawarra Dragons 20
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal
Date: Sun, 22nd March. Kickoff: 4:05 PM. Halftime: Parramatta 18-14. Penalties: St Geo Illa 8-3. Referee: Ashley Klein. Crowd: 25,573.
PARRAMATTA EELS (30)
Tries: Jonah Pezet, Tallyn Da Silva (2), Kitione Kautoga, Josh Addo-Carr
Conversions: Mitchell Moses (5/5)
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (20)
Tries: Luciano Leilua, Jaydn Su’A, Moses Suli
Conversions: Valentine Holmes (3/3)
Penalty Goals: Valentine Holmes (1/1)
Parramatta: Iongi, Simonsson, Samrani, Russell, Addo-Carr; Pezet, Moses (C); Williams, Smith, Paulo, Tuilagi, Kautoga, Walker. Int: Hopgood, Tuivaiti, Doorey, Da Silva, Guymer.
St Geo Illa: Gutherson (C), Tuipulotu, Suli, Holmes, Tu; Flanagan, Atkinson; Guler, Cook, Couchman, Leilua, Su’A, Lawrie. Int: Stewart, Liddle, Kerr, Couchman.
Cowboys get off the mark against Titans
22 Mar 2026 8:11PM | Justin Davies
North Queensland Cowboys 30 Gold Coast Titans 16
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba
Date: Sun, 22nd March. Kickoff: 5:15 PM. Halftime: North Qld 22-10. Penalties: Gold Coast 7-6. Referee: Peter Gough. Crowd: 16,999.
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (30)
Tries: Murray Taulagi (2), Jake Clifford, Scott Drinkwater, Jaxon Purdue
Conversions: Jake Clifford (4/5)
Penalty Goals: Jake Clifford (1/1)
GOLD COAST TITANS (16)
Tries: Jayden Campbell (2), Kurtis Morrin
Conversions: Jayden Campbell (2/3)
North Qld: Drinkwater, Burns, Purdue, Chester, Taulagi; Clifford, Dearden (C); Neame, Mahoney, Taumalolo, Luki, McIntyre, Cotter. Int: Hess, Luke, Lahrs, Lodge.
Gold Coast: Kini, Faeamani, Fifita, Feagai, Sami; Brimson, Campbell; Fotuaika, Verrills, Fa’asuamaleaui (C), Hau, Fermor, Randall. Int: Morrin, Simpkins, Haas, Bai, Ilias.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles had a bye this round.
Round 3 ladder
#TeamPWDLB+/-Pts1Warriors330008462Penrith330008263Canterbury22001564Melbourne320107045Wests Tigers210112446Dolphins320102247Souths32010648Newcastle32010449Parramatta32010-30410Cronulla31020-8211Manly20021-21212North Qld31020-24213Brisbane31020-30214Canberra31020-37215Sydney31020-52216St Geo Illa30030-37017Gold Coast30030-580
RELATED: Click here to view the current NRL Telstra Premiership ladder.
RLP Stats Leaders
TOP TRYSCORERSRankPlayerTeamPT1Thomas JenkinsPenrith382Sualauvi Fa’alogoMelbourne363Murray TaulagiNorth Qld34=Alex JohnstonSouth Sydney34=Selumiela HalasimaWarriors34=Jake AverilloDolphins34TOP GOALKICKERSRankPlayerTeamPG/A%1Tanah BoydWarriors317 / 2374%2Nathan ClearyPenrith316 / 1984%3Jamayne IsaakoDolphins315 / 1788%4Nick MeaneyMelbourne314 / 1782%5Mitchell MosesParramatta311 / 1479%=Latrell MitchellSouth Sydney311 / 1669%7Adam DoueihiWests Tigers210 / 1283%=Jake CliffordNorth Qld310 / 1377%TOP POINTSCORERSRankPlayerTeamPTGFGPts1Tanah BoydWarriors3317-462Jamayne IsaakoDolphins3215-383Nathan ClearyPenrith3116-364Latrell MitchellSouth Sydney3311-345Thomas JenkinsPenrith38–326Nick MeaneyMelbourne3-14-287Nicho HynesCronulla329-268Adam DoueihiWests Tigers2110-24=Valentine HolmesSt Geo Illa328-24=Sualauvi Fa’alogoMelbourne36–24=Jake CliffordNorth Qld3110-24
Match review
Two players are facing suspension with nine others charged across the first six games:
PlayerClubPenaltyJosh PAPALI’I
Trey MOONEYCAN
NEW1 – 2 matchesJesse RAMIEN
Api KOROISAUCRO
WST$1,800 – $2,500Joseph TAPINE
Lachlan GALVIN
Kotoni STAGGS
Phoenix CROSSLAND
Dane GAGAI
Blayke BRAILEY
Latrell MITCHELLCAN
CBY
BRI
NEW
NEW
CRO
SOU$1,000 – $1,500
Click here to find out the details on each and every charge.
LeagueUnlimited Player of the Year standings
Our writers issue points every game for who they judge as the best player on the field. Includes points accumulated during State of Origin series.
9 points – Tanah Boyd (Warriors)
5 points – Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins), Sualauvi Faalogo (Storm), Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
4 points – Jackson Ford (Warriors), Trey Mooney (Knights), Thomas Jenkins (Panthers), Joe Chan (Storm), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs)
3 points – Sandon Smith (Knights), Jordan Riki (Broncos), Ethan Sanders (Raiders), Cody Walker (Rabbitohs), Jonah Pezet (Eels), Keano Kini (Titans), Braydon Trindall (Sharks), Connor Tracey (Bulldogs), Jye Gray (Rabbitohs), Tallyn Da Silva (Eels), Jahrome Hughes (Storm), Jake Clifford (Cowboys), Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs), Kalyn Ponga (Knights), Jarome Luai (Tigers), Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
2 points – Isaiah Papali’i (Panthers), Ryan Couchman (Dragons), Jahream Bula (Tigers), Murray Taulagi (Cowboys), Jaydn Su’A (Dragons), Selwyn Cobbo (Dolphins), Dylan Edwards (Panthers), Hudson Young (Raiders), James Tedesco (Roosters), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs), Isaiah Iongi (Eels), Kai Pearce-Paul (Tigers), Noah Martin (Raiders), Damien Cook (Dragons), Nicho Hynes (Sharks)
1 point – Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Peter Mamouzelos (Rabbitohs), William Kennedy (Sharks), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Jayden Campbell (Titans), Kurt Capewell (Warriors), Sam Tuivaiti (Eels), Jake Averillo (Dolphins), Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs), Heilum Luki (Cowboys), Billy Phillips (Panthers), Luke Laulilii (Tigers), Daniel Atkinson (Dragons), Bradman Best (Knights), Daly Cherry-Evans (Roosters), Brian To’o (Panthers), Kotoni Staggs (Broncos), Leka Halasima (Warriors), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), Mitchell Barnett (Warriors)
Crowd Watch
Each week we’ll also do our best to keep you across the crowd figures which are often the most talked-about parts of the game.
Round 3 crowds
Times are venue local.
Thu20:00CAN v CBYGIO13,723Fri18:00SYD v PENAllianz22,128Fri20:05MEL v BRIAAMI28,245Sat15:00NEW v WARMcD. Jones21,682Sat17:30CRO v DOLOcean Protect11,096Sat19:30SOU v WSTpolytec19,940Sun16:05PAR v SGICommBank25,573Sun18:15NQL v GLDQLD C. Bank16,999
Round & season:
Rnd 3
TOTALRnd 3
AVERAGESeason
TOTALSeason
AVERAGE159,38619,923519,52621,647
Scorigami watch
A ‘scorigami’ is when a score occurs that has never been recorded in the history of the NRL premiership (1908-present) before. This section looks at each week’s scorelines, how often they’ve occured and the most recent instance of it.
There were no NRL scorigami this round.
Canterbury def Canberra 14-10
This has occurred 85 times previously, most recently in Round 24 of 2025 – Warriors def St Geo Illa
Penrith def Sydney 40-4
This has occurred 18 times previously, most recently in the 2022 Semi Final – Parramatta def Canberra
Brisbane def Melbourne 18-14
This has occurred 91 times previously, most recently last week – Dolphins def Gold Coast
Warriors def Newcastle 38-12
This has occurred 49 times previously, most recently Round 4 of 2024 – Brisbane def North Qld
Dolphins def Cronulla 38-10
This has occurred 26 times previously, most recently Round 25 of 2024 – Cronulla def St Geo Illa
South Sydney def Wests Tigers 20-16
This has occurred 101 times previously, most recently Round 25 of 2025 – Canberra def Penrith
Parramatta def St George Illawarra 30-20
This has occurred 38 times previously, most recently Round 7 of 2025 – Canberra def Gold Coast
North Qld def Gold Coast 30-16
This has occurred 49 times previously, most recently Round 20 of 2023 – Melbourne def Sydney
Next up – NRL Round 4
All times venue local. BYE: Souths.
Thu 8:00pmMar 26ManlySydney4 PinesFri 8:00pmMar 27WarriorsWests TigersGo MediaFri 7:00pmMar 27BrisbaneDolphinsSuncorpSat 3:00pmMar 28CanterburyNewcastleAccorSat 5:30pmMar 28PenrithParramattaCommBankSat 6:30pmMar 28North QldMelbourneQLD C. BankSun 4:05pmMar 29CanberraCronullaGIOSun 5:15pmMar 29Gold CoastSt Geo IllaCbus Super