<p>What on earth was that? Tipping comps across the country are no doubt in disarray after the events of last week.</p> <p>The Warriors, Roosters, Rabbitohs and the Raiders all recorded shock wins last time out, despite all being significant underdogs before kick-off.</p> <p>The Roosters’ win in particular made headlines over the weekend, as they were outside 10.00 to beat Penrith at one point prior to the match starting.</p> <p>There seems to be only one really consistent team at the moment – Parramatta. That’s not a good thing by the way.</p> <p>It looks set to be a long season for the Blue and Gold faithful, after the rudderless Eels slumped to a second straight heavy defeat.</p> <p>Can Jason Ryles stop the rot against local rivals Canterbury? Or does more misery await?</p> <p>What about the rest of the competition? Are there more upsets on the way? Or will normal transmission resume? It sounds like we could all do with some NRL round 3 tips and predictions to try and figure this all out.</p> <p>For the latest footy news, odds, analysis and betting advice, check out our NRL round 3 tips and predictions.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne Storm vs Penrith Panthers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, March 20, 8:00pm AEDT – AAMI Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What a way to open up NRL round 3! A Grand Final rematch awaits on Thursday night as the Storm and the Panthers reconvene to do battle once more.</p> <p>Penrith will no doubt be reeling from their shock loss to the depleted Roosters last week, after entering that game roughly 10/1 favourites.</p> <p>The Storm on the hand will be fully rested and raring to go, after backing up their opening round 56-18 win with the bye. It doesn’t get much better than that when it comes to preparation.</p> <p>To make matters worse for Penrith, their star fullback Dylan Edwards left the field in the second half against the Roosters with injury and did not return.</p> <p>If Edwards fails to recover in time to run out for this one, it could be a long night for the boys from the foot of the mountains down in Melbourne.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/melbourne-storm-v-penrith-panthers-9028342">Melbourne Storm.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Ryan Papenhuyzen first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>New Zealand Warriors vs Sydney Roosters Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, March 21, 6:00pm AEDT – Go Media Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Last week’s “two biggest roughies who came good” tangle here, in what we’re dubbing “the Underdog Cup”.</p> <p>The Roosters ambush against reigning champs Penrith obviously stole all the headlines, but the Warriors did well to best a Sea Eagles side who were nothing short of electric in their opening game.</p> <p>New Zealand’s win needs to be discredited slightly, however, as Manly’s two best players, Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic, both went off injured.</p> <p>That’s why we are going to take the Roosters here in what should be an incredibly close contest.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/new-zealand-warriors-v-sydney-roosters-9028349">Sydney Roosters.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Daniel Tupou to score 2+ tries.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, March 21, 8:00pm AEDT – Suncorp Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A Queensland Derby on a Friday night, does it get any better? Probably not. Regardless of how either of these sides are travelling, when they meet the form guide always seems to go out the window and all hell normally breaks loose.</p> <p>The Cowboys have started 2025 in a tailspin and questions are already being asked of head coach Todd Payten.</p> <p>Meanwhile Brisbane showed exactly why it’s dangerous to believe the hype, backing up their stunning opening round win, with a shock loss last start to Canberra.</p> <p>Obviously, we’re still inclined to back Brisbane, as the Cowboys have been beyond poor to start the new season. However, these games always deliver, and we think there won’t be much in this one at all.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/brisbane-broncos-v-nth-queensland-cowboys-9028353">Brisbane Broncos.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Winning margin – Broncos 1-5.</p>

<h2>Cronulla Sharks vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, March 22, 3:00pm AEDT – Shark Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Turns out he’s the master coach for a reason. Despite being unanimously tipped to severely struggle this season, Wayne Bennett has led the Bunnies to back-to-back wins to start the season.</p> <p>Opening fixtures against the depleted Dolphins and the always inconsistent Dragons certainly helped their cause, but that easy run ends this week.</p> <p>Cronulla are a completely different kettle of fish, well, kettle of sharks, and we don’t think the Rabbits will be able to wriggle their way out of this one.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/cronulla-sharks-v-south-sydney-rabbitohs-9028356">Cronulla Sharks.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Samuel Stonestreet first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Dolphins vs Wests Tigers Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, March 22, 5:30pm AEDT – Dolphins Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Did we finally catch a glimpse of the real Tigers last week? We believe so. You couldn’t help but sit back and applaud as they ran in six tries to win against the hapless Eels, including an absolute screamer that was finished off by boom rookie Lachlan Galvin.</p> <p>The Dolphins were brave yet uninspired with the ball in hand during their loss to Newcastle and they simply don’t have the squad to compete at the moment, both in this game and the 2025 season.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/dolphins-v-wests-tigers-9028358">Wests Tigers.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Sunia Turuva first try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Titans vs Newcastle Knights Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, March 22, 7:35pm AEDT – Robina Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>While we are not sure what will happen to the Titans this year, we do know one thing – it’s not going to be boring.</p> <p>After conceding four tries in the first 20 minutes against the Bulldogs, they finished the match with four of their own, ending up on the wrong end of a 40-24 scoreline.</p> <p>It appears defence is optional this year on the Gold Coast, and we are interested to see how this approach fares against a Knights’ side who have grinded their way to a perfect start in 2025.</p> <p>Poorly we imagine. We’re taking Newcastle here.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/gold-coast-titans-v-newcastle-knights-9028363">Newcastle Knights.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Fletcher Sharpe anytime try scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, March 23, 4:05pm AEDT – CommBank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>What’s the matter Parramatta? Everything, absolutely everything. Jason Ryles’ first foray into being an NRL coach has quickly unravelled into a total nightmare.</p> <p>Dead last, can’t score, can’t defend, best player out injured, five-eighth jumping ship at season’s end, surely it can only get better from here?</p> <p>Not necessarily. Particularly since they play the free-scoring Doggies this week. Getting towelled up by your arch-rivals probably won’t ease the frustration of your supporters and that could be exactly what’s on the cards for Parra this week.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/parramatta-eels-v-canterbury-bulldogs-9028366">Canterbury Bulldogs.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Big win little win – Bulldogs 13+</p>

<h2>Manly Sea Eagles vs Canberra Raiders Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, March 23, 6:15pm AEDT – Brookvale Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final match of NRL round 3 sees the Sea Eagles welcome the Raiders to Brookvale.</p> <p>Canberra have already nominated themselves as this season’s surprise packet, starting the year with a pair of stunning victories.</p> <p>Manly could be in all sorts with both DCE and Tommy Turbo leaving the field injured against the Warriors last week.</p> <p>If they fail to recover in time for this one, it should be all one-way traffic, with the Raiders full of belief at the moment.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-league/nrl/manly-sea-eagles-v-canberra-raiders-9028373">Canberra Raiders.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Big win little win – Raiders 1-12.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St George Illawarra Dragons – BYE</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dragons get a week off to return to the drawing board after a frustrating one-point loss to South Sydney last week.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>NRL 2025 Premiership Odds</h2>