Injuries and reports for round 3

St George Illawarra may have paid a heavy price for finally breaking its 2006 duck with Test prop Jason Ryles suffering a suspected broken hand.

Ryles will have scans tomorrow after leaving the field midway through the second half clutching his hand in the Dragons 44-14 win over Souths today. News of the possible injury couldn't have come at a worse time for the Dragons, with fellow front rower Luke Bailey already sidelined for another month with a knee injury.

The Bunnies meanwhile could also suffer as a result of the loss, with three players placed on report for high tackles, including Yileen Gordon and David Fa'alogo for the one tackle on Dragons prop Michael Henderson. Hooker Stuart Webb will also come under the scrutiny of the match review committee for his high shot on Clint Greenshields.

Meanwhile, Bulldogs winger Matt Utai will also check a rib cartilage injury suffered in his side's loss to Newcastle on Friday night. Parramatta will be hoping halfback Tim Smith pulls up alright after injuring his shoulder in yesterday's loss to Brisbane.

Scans have already confirmed North Queensland centre Ty Williams will be sidelined for an extended period after breaking his ankle in Saturday night's win over Melbourne.

Ladder-wise, Newcastle and North Queensland re-affirmed their NRL premiership credentials with comprehensive wins over the weekend to remain two of only three sides yet to be beaten in 2006.

The Knights, Cowboys and Penrith all top the table after three rounds with the Panthers on six points courtesy of a bye on the weekend. Two points adrift are Sydney Roosters, Brisbane and Melbourne. Souths and Cronulla remain the only sides to register a win.

The New Zealand Warriors beat premiers Wests Tigers but are still on minus two competition points because of their salary cap punishment.