The Roar’s NRL expert tips and predictions: Round 3

Round two of the NRL season proved to be a bit easier to tip than round one, but still had a couple of results that were surprising.

Despite forgetting how to play for 65 minutes, a late comeback from the Bunnies wasn’t enough to spoil Craig Bellamy’s 500^th game celebrations, going down to the Storm 15-14.

The Panthers are continuing their fine form from last year after their 20-16 win of the Dragons on Friday night, however Red V fans were left asking ‘are the refs for real?!’ after a few dubious calls. 

Many were concerned for the welfare of any the dressing room door Des Hasler encountered after the Roosters beat a very lacklustre Manly 26-12.  

The Titans were too strong for the Warriors, the Sharks beat the Eels in an absolute thriller, and the Cowboys were firing on all cylinders during their 26-6 victory over the Raiders. 

The poor Tigers had no answers during their 26-4 loss to the Knights, and Adam Reynolds helped steer the Broncos to a 16-10 win over the Bulldogs.

Now, let me just have a look here at last weeks tips…..wait, what? I tipped 8/8? Well, there you go! Mary, AJ and Paul were just behind on 7, with Mike and The Crowd were close tipping 6. 

Overall, AJ is in the lead with 12, and I’m hot on his tail with 11. Mary, Paul and Mike are all on 10 and the Crowd close behind on 9. 

Ok, onto Round 3.

We are in for a cracker of a local derby tonight when the Dragons play the Sharks in Wollongong.

In the first game at 6pm tomorrow night the Tigers host the Warriors at Campbelltown. Both teams are 0/2 so somebody will be very relieved to get the two points after this one. 

Expect to see fireworks at 8pm when the Bunnies take on the Roosters, their first encounter since THAT Latrell Mitchell tackle on Joey Manu. Get your popcorn ready!

Super Saturday kicks of at 3pm with a top of the table clash between the Panthers and the Knights. Star halfback Nathan Cleary has been named in the side, his first match back since shoulder surgery. 

The Storm face the Eels at AAMI park at 5.30pm, then the Raiders host the Titans at 7.30pm.

Sunday sees the Cowboys travel to Brisbane to take on their big brother at 4pm.  Both teams are coming off round two wins and will be hoping to keep the momentum going. 

The Sea Eagles and the Bulldogs finish off the round at 6.15pm. Manly will be doing all they can to avoid being 0/3 by the end of this match. 

If you would like to see how you go up against the Experts this round, just remember to get your tips in below by 5pm tonight to be counted in The Crowd’s tips.

I’ll let our leading tipster AJ start us off for this round, and I would like to wish him all the best for a speedy recovery as he undergoes surgery for his Achilles. 

AJ Mithen

St George-Illawarra, Wests, Roosters, Penrith, Parramatta, Canberra, Brisbane, Manly

I remain atop the standings and I’m glad to provide you all with that strong comfort of things returning to how they should be. As you read this, I’m in surgery for my Achilles, so marvel in this tipping accuracy while I’m under a general anaesthetic!

The Dragons will top the Sharks, just. The Sharks have a much better defence, but it has come with less points. I think the Dragons have been pretty good so far and they’ll bank this.
Wests will knock over the Warriors, who never fail to disappoint. Surely the Tigers can’t put in such a blurter two weeks straight – remember they weren’t this bad against the Storm just two weeks ago.

Roosters over Souths because they’re starting to come out of pre-season mode and the Bunnies don’t have enough points in them yet.

Penrith will ride their defence to a win against the Knights – who are very much up and about. A Newcastle win wouldn’t surprise.

Parramatta will take out a low scoring squeaker in Melbourne, who still have some rusty gears in attack.

Your presumptive champions, the people’s team, the Canberra Raiders will peg 56 on the hapless Gold Coast Titans as the green machine sets aside injuries at key positions and recommences their charge to finals glory.

On Sunday, Brisbane will get past the Cowboys in a pretty rough watch and Manly will get a win in a similar outing against a new and improved Bulldogs side.

Mary Konstantopoulos

Sharks, Tigers, Roosters, Panthers, Eels, Raiders, Broncos, Sea Eagles.

This is another tough week for tipping and that difficulty commences with the first game between the Dragons and Sharks who have both had positive starts to this season.  This game will be close.  I am tipping the Sharks though who will be buoyed by the returns of Braydon Trindall and Jack Williams. I also wonder how much of an impact George Burgess’s behaviour will have on the Dragons team this week. 

There’s no other way to say it; the Wests Tigers looked disinterested last week. I’m not confident in this tip, but for me, it can’t get worse for the Tigers. The Warriors have also been underwhelming too, despite having a decent team on paper.

The game between the Roosters v Rabbitohs is one I’m looking forward to. After looking off the pace in Round 1, the Roosters returned to their best last week. I’m tipping the Roosters because I still think the Bunnies have a number of challenges, particularly on the edge and in the halves pairing. If the Roosters spread the ball wide, they will score plenty of points.

The Panthers will beat the Knights, but I think this game will be close. The Knights have been the surprise packet of 2022 so far, particularly their halves pairing. But with the return of Nathan Cleary this week, it’s too much of a stretch for me to tip against the Panthers.

I’m going with my heart for this one and tipping the Eels. Both teams are struggling with injuries. The Storm are missing Harry Grant and the Eels are really struggling with the depth in the centre/wing position. These two teams always line up well against each other and the key to the Eels winning this game is to try and win the battle in the forwards.

I’m tipping the Raiders against the Titans with several key players returning for the Raiders like Jordan Rapana and Nick Cotric. The Raiders were embarrassed last week against the Cowboys and I expect them to bounce back this week.

The Broncos will beat the Cowboys in the Queensland derby, thanks to the leadership of Adam Reynolds and the Sea Eagles will beat a Bulldogs team who has certainly improved since last year.

Adam Reynolds of the Broncos runs the ball. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Paul Suttor

Sharks, Tigers, Roosters, Panthers, Storm, Raiders, Cowboys, Sea Eagles

In Cronulla v Dragons derbies the underdog usually wins but the Sharks should win a close one in a rare Wollongong expedition.

The Tigers and Warriors game could finish 0-0 or 40-40 judging by their formlines but being at Campbelltown, the Westies should just get home.

Sydney Roosters looked slick against Manly last week so they should just have enough to get past Souths, who were only good a quarter of their game against Melbourne.

Penrith will deliver a reality check to Knights fans but it won’t be a flogging in Bathurst – they haven’t happened there since colonial times.

Melbourne at home is a no-brainer even if Parramatta are close to full strength and are also finals contenders.

The Raiders are really struggling with injuries and the Titans could upset them but Canberra by a nose.

North Queensland are better then they’re being given credit, the opposite is happening for Brisbane so the Cowboys will win a traditionally close (not geographically) Queensland derby.

Manly could put 30 on Canterbury in the Sunday nightcap.

Mike Meehall Wood

St George Illawarra, Tigers, Roosters, Panthers, Melbourne, Raiders, Broncos, Sea Eagles

This is the hardest week to pick yet!

I intrinsically trust the Storm and Panthers, plus I saw enough in the Roosters and Broncos to think they’ll be okay.

Raiders, Manly and St George Illawarra are very close and I always edge to the home team on such occasions.
As for the Tigers…well, they can’t be that bad twice and I never, ever tip the Warriors. Not anymore. Never again. Until I do. Now. Let’s gone Warriors (whatever that means).

Danielle Smith

Sharks, Tigers, Roosters, Knights, Storm, Titans, Cowboys, Sea Eagles

I’m tipping the Sharks in a close one. The Dragons will put on a show down in the Gong, but I think Fitzy and his troops will prove too strong.

‘Spoon Bowl’ or ‘The Super Spoon’ – whatever you want to call it, someone will come out a winner. I’m going the Tigers to get the win at Campbelltown. 

The Roosters will come out on top on the Bunnies, but I think we are all watching it for the spite as opposed to the result. 

Even when they are down on troops, you can never write of the Storm. I’m tipping them over the Eels, who weren’t overly impressing last round. 

Oh Canberra. They just couldn’t take a trick against the Cowboys last weekend. And with the news of Hodgson’s season ending injury on top of their poor form, I can’t see them beating the Titans. 

I was the only one who tipped the Cowboys last weekend and I’m going with them again! They are such a different side when Taumalolo is let loose. Their whole forward pack was very strong last weekend, and how good is The Hammer? 

I have no idea what is going on out a Brookie, but I’m expecting Manly to snap out of it and bounce back against the Dogs on Sunday night.

Cleary who? Never heard of him. As always, I’m tipping my Knights.

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Multi tips from PlayUp: 

Multi Option 1

Leg 1. $1.76 – Sharks H2H

Leg 2. $2.20 – Steer clear of the Tigers v Warriors game result, this could go either way, but we like David Nofoaluma anytime try scorer paying $2.20 with PlayUp. 

Leg 3. $1.90 – Rabbitos +3.5 line – In the second game, we were impressed with the Bunnies and I’m happy to take them with a 3.5 start against the Roosters.

Option 2

Leg 1. $1.95 – Knights +11.5 line

Leg 2. $1.85 – Eels +4.5 line

We like both of these teams to get across the line factoring in the starts, they have both had solid starts and are playing against two top tier teams both missing key playmakers. This multi will yield you $3.61 with PlayUp.

Option 3

Leg 1. $1.50 – Broncos H2H

Leg 2. $1.85 – Bulldogs +9.5 line

We like the Broncos to get over the top of the Cowboys and make it a 3-0 start to the season and the Dogs to dig in and hold and beat the Dogs with a 9.5 Start, if you multi these you will get $2.78 with PlayUp.

* As always if you’re going to have a bet please gamble responsibly.