NRL Round 3 Preview
Sea Eagles vs Bulldogs
Match Up - Feleti Mateo vs Moses Mbye. Both are filling the boots of their usual number 6 and will play second fiddle to their dominant halfbacks. This will give them a bit more time and space as their opponents put the key play makers under pressure and it'll be interesting to see who has the greater impact.
Key Man - Brett Stewart loves Brooky so you can count him in for a few tries, but he'll need to be at his best to give the Sea Eagles some attacking punch. Supporting the likes of Mateo and Daly Cherry-Evans will be important but so will his precision with the ball in hand as Manly attack the Doggies line.
Keep An Eye On - Manly's forwards are definitely the David in this battle, can they get some sort of roll on through the middle? Young big boppers Jake Trbjoveic and Ligi Sao will play a big part in that.
Verdict - Manly <12. Everything is pointing to the Dogs, but I reckon Manly's forwards can do enough to lay some sort of platform for their weapons.
Broncos vs Cowboys
Match Up - Anthony Milford vs Michael Morgan. Milford is still warming to his task, while Morgan is back in the halves after spending all of last season at fullback. They're both growing with their teams, but they need to do a lot more than merely support their halfbacks.
Key Man - Justin Hodges looks dangerous every time he slides into fullback on attack and if he's near his best then the Broncos should be able to convert their rugged forward play into points.
Keep An Eye On - The Cowboys needed something to change and that's come with Lachlan Coote starting at fullback. Can he spark the Cows? Also keep an eye on John Asiata who has been named as 18th man but he's nearing in on a first grade debut.
Verdict - Cowboys <12. Can't see them loosing three in a row, that would rip ya nightie.
Warriors vs Eels
Match Up - 14-17. Both teams have similar benches with a hooker, a back rower and two big boppers. No matter the injury troubles for the Eels, their forward pack is aggressive and eager which will need to be matched by the likes of Sam Lisone and Albert Vete who will take the field around the same time as Danny Wicks who was impressive last week.
Key Man - Jacob Lillyman has been nearly non-existent for the Warriors and if he doesn't show up this week, the Warriors will be run over.
Keep An Eye On - Can Solomone Kata have as much an impact when his forward pack isn't dominating?
Verdict - Warriors <12. The Eels will put up a much stiffer test than people think, but the Warriors have enough variety to trouble their defence.
Raiders vs Dragons
Match Up - Jordan Rapana vs Peter Mata'utia. Two makeshift fullbacks who will need to offer plenty of class and excitement to help their halves out.
Key Man - Gareth Widdop has to put this team on his back as he did in patches last season, patches where the Dragons looked pretty good. If Widdop is getting plenty of ball, that'll free up Benji Marshall to play with more freedom.
Keep An Eye On - The Raiders have impressed, while the Dragons have been reasonably poo. Who will take the game by the balls and demand victory?
Verdict - Dragons <12. Surely they can't keep serving up miserable performances? Hold the pill, build pressure and the game will be yours.
Storm vs Sharks
Match Up - Jesse Bromwich vs Andrew Fifita. Two props with similar styles except Bromwich has really kicked on to be one of the game's best props while Fifita hasn't quite been able to.
Key Man - Cooper Cronk, if he's at his best then the Sharks will constantly be coming out of their own end and will constantly be behind the eight ball. Cronk is the best of the four halves on display and if he's in control, the Storm will win.
Keep An Eye On - Dale Finucane will be going toe-to-toe with the game's best lock and I reckon he could make a big impression.
Verdict - Storm <12. Their forwards can hold their own and they should be too clinical.
Rabbitohs vs Tigers
Match Up - Adam Reynolds vs Luke Brooks. Two of the best young halfbacks in the game and they'll be jostling for control with pin-point kicks and smart decisions with ball in hand.
Key Man - Martin Taupau will need to be at his rampaging best, especially with the Bunnies pack not quite as big you think. If Taupau can bring the ruckus through the middle, that'll spark up Aaron Woods who has been fantastic recently.
Keep An Eye On - What the Rabbitohs do to limit the influence of James Tedesco.
Verdict - Tigers <12. Cheeky upset here with the Tigers capable of matching the Bunnies in all aspects, notably they have enough firepower to break down the defence of the Bunnies.
Titans vs Knights
Match Up - Aidan Sezer vs Jarrod Mullen. Two left footed halves who like to dominate and have all the skills to do so.
Key Man - Josh Hoffman has swapped with Will Zillman and he'll need to offer a threat not only running the ball but also linking up with his outside men.
Keep An Eye On - Who knows what's going to happen with the CoCo players.
Verdict - Titans <12. This will be their celebration win before reality strikes.
Roosters vs Panthers
Match Up - The back rowers. The Panthers have much more skill out wide with the likes of Sika Manu, Lewis Brown, Tyrone Peachey and Bryce Cartwright offering plenty of razzle dazzle while the Roosters just have size and aggression.
Key Man - James Segeyaro will have to be at his best to get the Roosters defence scrambling. The Roosters are one of the best defensive sides in the NRL and while the Panthers have plenty of lads who pose a threat, it will all start with Segeyaro.
Keep An Eye On - Sio Siua Taukeaiho has been great for the Chooks off the bench and looks to be another Junior Warrior who is enjoying success in Australia.
Verdict - Panthers <12. Cheeky upset number two. I love the way the Panthers play and I reckon they'll run the Roosters around, with plenty of off loads and perfectly executed plays.