The game of the round comes from the foot of the mountains, when the Panthers host their first home game of the season, against the undefeated Roosters.
Penrith Panthers versus Sydney Roosters
Saturday, 18 March 2017
Kick-off: 7pm at Pepper Stadium
Penrith decided to actually show up in Round 2 against the Tigers, after their horrendous start to the season. Anthony Griffin has made no changes to his starting 17 with Peta Hiku and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak named on an extended bench. Blake Ferguson is out with a rib injury, replaced by Joseph Manu in the centres.
The Roosters drifted in and out of concentration against the Dogs last Thursday and can’t afford such brain fades against the Panthers, who pose more of a risk in an attacking sense and have an equally formidable pack.
Prediction: Panthers by 12.
North Queensland Cowboys versus Manly Sea Eagles
Saturday, 18 March 2017
Kick-off: 9pm at 1300SMILES Stadium
From game-saving tackles to game-winning field goals, Johnathan Thurston is an absolute superstar. But the Cowboys have to set aside their emotional victory over the Broncos and knuckle down for a clash with the winless Sea Eagles.
Manly are not a good football side and there are internal rumblings of another civil war after new CEO Tim Cleary sacked Bob Fulton’s daughter. Uh oh.
Trent Barrett needs a win, and his side were lifeless outside of the first 20 minutes last Saturday. He has named an unchanged side, which goes to show how little depth they have.
The rehab group at the Cowboys has grown, with Antonio Winterstein, Matt Scott and Lachlan Coote all out. The highly touted Kayln Ponga will get the nod at fullback in an appetiser for Knights fans, ahead of his move to the Hunter in 2017.
Manly are unbackable at the moment, despite the heroics of the Trbojevic brothers.
Prediction: North Queensland by 10.
Canberra Raiders versus Wests Tigers
Sunday, 19 March 2017
Kick-off: 4pm at GIO Stadium
Both of these clubs produced diabolical performances in Round 2 and will be looking for redemption.
Nobody saw the Raiders getting blown out by Cronulla at home, but the Green Machine had horrible ball security, terrible ball movement and lacked continuity.
The Tigers’ defence was inept against quality opposition and the Tim Simona revelations in the papers on Sunday morning wouldn’t have made for a happy atmosphere on game day.
Canberrra are unchanged, while the Tigers have dropped Jamal Idris for Tim Grant.
The last time these two teams faced off in Canberra, the Raiders put up 60 against the toothless Tigers. I don’t expect the same scoreline, but there are plenty of points in Ricky Stuart’s side.
Prediction: Canberra by 16.
Cronulla Sharks versus St George Illawarra Dragons
Sunday, 19 March 2017
Kick-off: 6:30pm at Southern Cross Group Stadium
Sunday night football hits the Shire when rivals the Sharks and the Dragons close Round 3.
An exceptional performance from the Sharks last weekend reminded the competition not to sleep on last season’s premiers. Valentine Holmes has been named on an extended bench and is a possibility of starting for the Sharks.
The Dragons, on the other hand, lost the spark and go-forward which they discovered in Round 1, were trailing inside one minute against the Eels after a try off a kick-off error, and never recovered.
These teams shared the spoils last season, each winning a game on their home ground.
The Sharks are too strong all over the park for the Dragons in this one.
Prediction: Cronulla by 14.
PatchMan
Guest
The Dragon's have proven that they can attack & defend' so hopefully it was a wakeup call in the loss to the Eels last week! The Dragon's seem to play better in the Wet' so maybe another "Upset" here! You can put the position of both Teams' out the window here!.. It's a Great Rivalry here' so I'm sure it will be a great spectacle to watch!...It is a fact' about 90% of the time, when 1 Team gets flogged 1 week' they seem to flogg another Team the week after'..& The Team that does the Flogging the week before' gets flogged the week after! Is it just a Coincidence? ? We'll find out tomorrow! :)
PatchMan
Guest
I think Manly may cause an upset here'.. You may say I am dreaming' but any Team this season can win' if an opposition takes them lightly'. It's Manly's chance now' with the absence of some quality key Player's out for the Cowboys! In saying that' the loss of Topau' has made Manly a little thin'.. The other Player's need to Man up! Last season, Manly had long list of injuries' but no excuses this time round! Barrett won't last long this yr if they don't start winning games' & win quickly! I know the 9's is a different concept of footy' but the Eagles did quite well' showing great resilience in "D" & in attack!.. So they need to look back at that' & start showing that same attitude that got them very close in that competition ! I'm not a Eagles fan' but I am confident that they do have something to prove to the sceptics that they can play footy!
geoff evans
Guest
Of course "the Raging bull" would be mad at DCE because he has hated him since he changed his mind and did not go to the Titans and Tallis is connected to the Titans. He said that dce had ton take ownership of the team and do every thing himself but then said that Haynes needed all the team to help him out. DCE cannot do everything by himself as he did 33 tackles 1st week and 28 the 2nd week which is a lot more than any other halfback. Manlys forwards have to stand up and give him a bit of a hand.
Nicholas Nakos
Roar Guru
Yes what a bizarre thing to say about your coach and his prospects. DCE tried to slither out of that by laughing everything off. Strange stuff.
Silvertail47
Guest
Manly will be smashed , but it's not "my problem" quote DCE yesterday, did you see the raging bulls reaction ? He ,Matty johns and co summed it up , the 3 stooges can see the exit at the end of the tunnel