NRL 2025: what you need to know
45 days ago | LeagueUnlimited Media
MONDAY'S EXPERT: 2024 NRL Round 3
A full wrap of the third round of the 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership - packed with everything you need to know after Round 3.
All listed times are AEDT (NSW/VIC/ACT).
RELATED: See the full list of 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership Draw and Results.
Penrith Panthers 34
Brisbane Broncos 12
Venue: BlueBet Stadium, Penrith / Dharug
Crowd: 20089
Date: Thursday 21 March 2024 at 8:00pm
Penrith: Edwards, Turuva, Tago, May, To'o; Luai, Cleary (C); Leota, Kenny, Smith, Sorensen, Martin, Yeo. Int: Laurie, Eisenhuth, Henry, Garner.
Brisbane: Walsh, Arthars, Staggs, Cobbo, Mariner; Mam, Madden; Jensen, Walters, Baker, Piakura, Riki, Carrigan (C). Int: Smoothy, Hetherington, Taupau, Willison.
PENRITH PANTHERS (34)
Tries: Sunia Turuva, Izack Tago (2), Mitch Kenny, Brian To'o (2)
Conversions: Nathan Cleary (5/6)
BRISBANE BRONCOS (12)
Tries: Deine Mariner, Jesse Arthars
Conversions: Kotoni Staggs (1/2)
Penalty Goals: Kotoni Staggs (1/1)
Warriors 18
Canberra Raiders 10
Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch / Aotearoa
Crowd: 17249
Date: Friday 22 March 2024 at 6:00pm
Warriors: Tuaupiki, Watene-Zelezniak, Berry, Tuivasa-Sheck, Montoya; Metcalf, Johnson; Fonua-Blake, Lussick, Barnett, Ford, Capewell, Harris (C). Int: Ale, Afoa, Tevaga, Harris-Tavita.
Canberra: Rapana, Cotric, Timoko, Hopoate, Savage; Strange, Fogarty; Papalii, Levi, Tapine, Young, Whitehead (C), Smithies. Int: Starling, Guler, Hosking, Saulo.
WARRIORS (18)
Tries: Addin Fonua-Blake, Luke Metcalf, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Conversions: Luke Metcalf (3/3)
CANBERRA RAIDERS (10)
Tries: Matthew Timoko, Nick Cotric
Conversions: Jamal Fogarty (1/2)
Sydney Roosters 48
South Sydney Rabbitohs 6
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal
Crowd: 37594
Date: Friday 22 March 2024 at 8:05pm
Sydney: Tedesco (C), Tupou, Sua'ali'i, Manu, Young; Smith, Walker; Waerea-Hargreaves, Smith, Collins, Butcher, Tupouniua, Radley. Int: Watson, Whyte, May, Crichton.
Souths: Mitchell, Johnston, Wighton, Tass, Milne; Walker, Hawkins; Tatola, Havili, Moale, Koloamatangi, Host, Murray (C). Int: Cook, Duncan, Keppie, Burgess.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS (48)
Tries: Dominic Young, Sam Walker (2), Joseph Manu (2), Connor Watson, James Tedesco (2)
Conversions: Sam Walker (4/4), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (4/4)
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS (6)
Tries: Jacob Host
Conversions: Latrell Mitchell (1/1)
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 32
Gold Coast Titans 0
Venue: Belmore Sports Ground, Belmore / Bidjigal
Crowd: 12037
Date: Saturday 23 March 2024 at 3:00pm
Canterbury: Taaffe, Wilson, Kiraz, Crichton (C), Tracey; Burton, Hutchison; King, Mahoney, Knight, Kikau, Preston, Salmon. Int: Mann, Hughes, Curran, Morrin.
Gold Coast: Kini, Khan-Pereira, Kelly, Brimson, Sami; Foran, Boyd; Fotuaika, Randall, Fa'asuamaleaui (C), Haas, Fermor, Jolliffe. Int: Verrills, Liu, Clark, Palasia.
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (32)
Tries: Jacob Preston, Viliame Kikau, Reed Mahoney, Jacob Kiraz, Connor Tracey, Blake Taaffe
Conversions: Matt Burton (4/6)
GOLD COAST TITANS (0)
St George Illawarra Dragons 24
North Queensland Cowboys 46
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Carlton / Bidjigal
Crowd: 9252
Date: Saturday 23 March 2024 at 5:30pm
St Geo Illa: Sloan, Lomax, Suli, Bird, Ravalawa; Flanagan, Hunt (C); De Belin, Marschke, Lawrie, Leilua, Faitala-Mariner, Murdoch-Masila. Int: Eisenhuth, Muhleisen, Molo, Fifita.
North QLD: Drinkwater, Feldt, Holmes, Chester, Taulagi; Dearden (C), Townsend; McLean, Robson, Taumalolo, Finefeuiaki, Nanai, Cotter. Int: Granville, Neame, McIntyre, Gosiewski.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (24)
Tries: Zac Lomax (2), Tyrell Sloan, Kyle Flanagan
Conversions: Zac Lomax (4/4)
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS (46)
Tries: Murray Taulagi, Valentine Holmes, Sam McIntyre, Griffin Neame, Scott Drinkwater, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Tom Dearden, Chad Townsend
Conversions: Valentine Holmes (7/8)
Wests Tigers 32
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 6
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield / Wanngal
Crowd: 15990
Date: Saturday 23 March 2024 at 7:35pm
Wests Tigers: Bula, Staines, Faataape, Olam, Tupou; Galvin, Sezer; Utoikamanu, Koroisau (C), Klemmer, Papali'i, Bateman, Pole. Int: Sullivan, Seyfarth, Twal, Fainu.
Cronulla: Kennedy, Katoa, Ramien, Talakai, Mulitalo; Trindall, Hynes; Rudolf, Brailey, Kaufusi, Williams, Wilton, McInnes (C). Int: Finucane, Hunt, Burns, Hazelton.
WESTS TIGERS (32)
Tries: Isaiah Papali'i, Alex Seyfarth, Justin Olam, Jahream Bula (2)
Conversions: Apisai Koroisau (3/3), Aidan Sezer (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Apisai Koroisau (1/1)
CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS (6)
Tries: Thomas Hazelton
Conversions: Nicho Hynes (1/1)
Parramatta Eels 28
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 24
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal
Crowd: 20354
Date: Sunday 24 March 2024 at 4:05pm
Parramatta: Gutherson (C), Harper, Penisini, Talagi, Russell; Brown, Moses; Campbell-Gillard, Lussick, Ofahengaue, Lane, Cartwright, Hopgood. Int: Paulo, Moretti, Matterson, Tuilagi.
Manly: Trbojevic, Tuaimalo Vaega, Koula, Garrick, Paulo; Brooks, Cherry-Evans (C); Paseka, Croker, Aloiai, Olakau'atu, Trbojevic, Trbojevic. Int: Lawton, Waddell, Bullemor, Brown.
PARRAMATTA EELS (28)
Tries: Viliami Penisini, Mitchell Moses, Blaize Talagi, Morgan Harper, Kelma Tuilagi
Conversions: Clinton Gutherson (3/5)
Penalty Goals: Mitchell Moses (1/1)
MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (24)
Tries: Reuben Garrick, Tom Trbojevic, Jaxson Paulo, Corey Waddell
Conversions: Reuben Garrick (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Reuben Garrick (1/1)
Newcastle Knights 14
Melbourne Storm 12
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal
Crowd: 21889
Date: Sunday 24 March 2024 at 6:15pm
Newcastle: Ponga (C), Jenkins, Gagai, Best, Tuala; Gamble, Cogger; Saifiti, Crossland, Thompson, Frizell, Pearce-Paul, Elliott. Int: Brailey, Saifiti, Croker, Lucas.
Melbourne: Papenhuyzen, Warbrick, Smith, Meaney, Coates; Pezet, Wishart; Kamikamica, Grant (C), King, Blore, Katoa, Loiero. Int: Bradley, Moeroa, Lewis, MacDonald.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (14)
Tries: Dane Gagai, Enari Tuala
Conversions: Kalyn Ponga (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Kalyn Ponga (1/1)
MELBOURNE STORM (12)
Tries: Ryan Papenhuyzen, Tyran Wishart
Conversions: Nick Meaney (2/2)
Dolphins had a bye this round.
Ladder after Round 3
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | B | +/- | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Qld | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 6 |
| 2 | Sydney | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 4 |
| 3 | Canberra | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 4 |
| 4 | Penrith | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 4 |
| 5 | Manly | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 4 |
| 6 | Parramatta | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 4 |
| 7 | Dolphins | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 4 |
| 8 | Melbourne | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 4 |
| 9 | Wests Tigers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| 10 | Cronulla | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -3 | 4 |
| 11 | Warriors | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 12 | Canterbury | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -5 | 2 |
| 13 | Newcastle | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -15 | 2 |
| 14 | Brisbane | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -22 | 2 |
| 15 | St Geo Illa | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -36 | 2 |
| 16 | Gold Coast | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -56 | 2 |
| 17 | South Sydney | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -64 | 0 |
RELATED: Click here to view the current NRL Telstra Premiership ladder.
Stats leaders
Most tries
| Rank | Player | Team | P | T |
| 1 | Tyrell Sloan | St Geo Illa | 3 | 4 |
| = | Deine Mariner | Brisbane | 3 | 4 |
| 3 | Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | Dolphins | 2 | 3 |
| = | Reece Walsh | Brisbane | 3 | 3 |
| = | Sunia Turuva | Penrith | 3 | 3 |
| = | James Tedesco | Sydney | 3 | 3 |
| = | Izack Tago | Penrith | 3 | 3 |
| = | Ryan Papenhuyzen | Melbourne | 3 | 3 |
| = | Joseph Manu | Sydney | 3 | 3 |
| = | Zac Lomax | St Geo Illa | 3 | 3 |
| = | Tom Dearden | North QLD | 3 | 3 |
Most goals
| Rank | Player | Team | P | G/A | % |
| 1 | Valentine Holmes | North QLD | 3 | 16 / 20 | 80% |
| 2 | Reuben Garrick | Manly | 3 | 14 / 16 | 88% |
| 3 | Jamal Fogarty | Canberra | 3 | 12 / 15 | 73% |
| 4 | Kalyn Ponga | Newcastle | 3 | 9 / 9 | 100% |
| = | Sam Walker | Sydney | 3 | 9 / 10 | 90% |
| = | Nick Meaney | Melbourne | 3 | 9 / 10 | 90% |
| = | Clinton Gutherson | Parramatta | 3 | 9 / 11 | 82% |
| 8 | Zac Lomax | St Geo Illa | 3 | 8 / 9 | 89% |
| = | Jamayne Isaako | Dolphins | 2 | 8 / 10 | 80% |
| = | Luke Metcalf | Warriors | 3 | 8 / 10 | 80% |
| = | Nathan Cleary | Penrith | 3 | 8 / 11 | 73% |
Most points
| Rank | Player | Team | P | T | G | FG | Pts |
| 1 | Valentine Holmes | North QLD | 3 | 1 | 16 | - | 36 |
| = | Reuben Garrick | Manly | 3 | 2 | 14 | - | 36 |
| 3 | Zac Lomax | St Geo Illa | 3 | 3 | 8 | - | 28 |
| 4 | Sam Walker | Sydney | 3 | 2 | 9 | - | 26 |
| 5 | Luke Metcalf | Warriors | 3 | 2 | 8 | - | 24 |
| 6 | Nick Meaney | Melbourne | 3 | 1 | 9 | - | 22 |
| = | Jamal Fogarty | Canberra | 3 | - | 11 | - | 22 |
| 8 | Jamayne Isaako | Dolphins | 2 | 1 | 8 | - | 20 |
| = | Latrell Mitchell | Souths | 3 | 2 | 6 | - | 20 |
| 10 | Kalyn Ponga | Newcastle | 3 | - | 9 | - | 18 |
| = | Clinton Gutherson | Parramatta | 3 | - | 9 | - | 18 |
Match review
Fines only so far in Round 3's first six games - five players charged with none at danger of suspension.
On Monday, Newcastle's Leo Thompson was hit with a Grade 2 Dangerous Contact charge for an incident involving Ryan Papenhuyzen.
By lunch time on Tuesday, all players charged had entered early guilty pleas. Thompson is suspended for one match with all other played fined.
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.
6 points - Jamal Fogarty (Raiders), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)
5 points - James Tedesco (Roosters), Kalyn Ponga (Knights), Reece Robson (Cowboys), Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors)
4 points - Zac Hosking (Raiders), Sam Walker (Roosters)
3 points - Bryce Cartwright (Eels), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), Teig Wilton (Sharks), Nathan Cleary (Panthers), Zac Laybutt (Cowboys), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs), Tyrell Sloan (Dragons), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm), Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Junior Paulo (Eels), Adam Elliott (Knights), Dylan Edwards (Panthers), William Kennedy (Sharks), Isaah Yeo (Panthers), Xavier Coates (Storm), Reece Walsh (Broncos)
2 points - Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), Jacob Kiraz (Bulldogs), Mitchell Moses (Eels), Dane Gagai (Knights), Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers), Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys), Jackson Ford (Warriors), Sandon Smith (Roosters), Izack Tago (Panthers), Dylan Brown (Eels), Clinton Gutherson (Eels), Siosifa Talakai (Sharks), Ben Hunt (Dragons), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), Deine Mariner (Broncos), Ben Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Joseph Manu (Roosters)
1 point - Blake Wilson (Bulldogs), Griffin Neame (Cowboys), Taylan May (Panthers), Tyson Frizell (Knights), Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors), Morgan Smithies (Raiders), Justin Olam (Wests Tigers), Jacob Liddle (Dragons), Max Plath (Dolphins), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs), Ethan Strange (Raiders), Jahrome Hughes (Storm), Thomas Hazelton (Sharks), Brian To'o (Panthers), Tom Dearden (Cowboys), Jordan Rapana (Raiders), Thomas Flegler (Dolphins), Jesse Arthars (Broncos), Josh Curran (Bulldogs)
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
| Thu 8:00pm | PEN v BRI | BlueBet | 20,089 |
| Fri 8:00pm | WAR v CAN | Apollo | 17,249 |
| Fri 8:00pm | SYD v SOU | Allianz | 37,594 |
| Sat 3:00pm | CBY v GLD | Belmore | 12,037 |
| Sat 5:30pm | SGI v NQL | Netstrata | 9,252 |
| Sat 7:35pm | WST v CRO | Leichhardt | 15,990 |
| Sun 4:05pm | PAR v MAN | CommBank | 20,354 |
| Sun 6:15pm | NEW v MEL | McD. Jones | 21,889 |
Round Total: 154,454 / Average per game 19,307
Season Total: 531,994 / Average per game 22,166
Fixtures - Round 4
Easter: Mar 28-Apr 1
Sydney Roosters v Penrith Panthers
Thu 28 Mar 8:00PM at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park / Gadigal
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Fri 29 Mar 4:05PM at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal
Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys
Fri 29 Mar 8:05PM at Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal
St George Illawarra Dragons v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Sat 30 Mar 5:30PM at WIN Stadium, Wollongong / Dharawal
Gold Coast Titans v Dolphins
Sat 30 Mar 7:35PM at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh
Warriors v Newcastle Knights
Sun 31 Mar 4:05PM at Go Media Stadium, Penrose / Aotearoa
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Canberra Raiders
Sun 31 Mar 6:15PM at PointsBet Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal
Parramatta Eels v Wests Tigers
Mon 1 Apr 4:00PM at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta / Burramattagal
BYE: Melbourne Storm