Round three produced a few shock results and high-scoring matches that left many of us entertained but also left some punters very frustrated. Here's another edition of five talking points.
Saturday night blowouts
With an interesting trio of match-ups on Saturday night, fans could be forgiven for thinking they'd see tight contests. Neutrals were left disappointed however, when Manly demolished the Warriors 46-12, Cronulla overturned a 10-6 half-time deficit in Townsville to beat the Cowboys 42-16 and Melbourne outmuscled Penrith with a routine 32-2 victory.
Edwards' night to forget
The normally steady and composed young fullback Dylan Edwards endured a tough night in Bathurst as his side slumped to their second loss of the season. Edwards may have clocked up more running metres than anyone else on the field with 168m but it couldn't make up for his six errors - two of which led directly to tries to Cameron Munster and Brodie Croft. Ivan Cleary is left with the uneviable decision of whether to drop his fullback or stick with him in order to regain confidence.
Dragons reignite campaign with gritty display
The Broncos were heavily favoured at home over a winless Red V outfit and after a powerful performance against the Cowboys. It was the Dragons that came out firing though, with their forward pack aiming up and doing the job with the Sims brothers, Paul Vaughan and Jacob Host all contributing impressively. After Brisbane came back twice, it was former Broncos man Corey Norman who condemned his old side to defeat with a last minute field goal.
Bulldogs hit back as their Campbelltown record stays intact
The Tigers were expected to join Melbourne in winning their first three games of the season until a rampant Bulldogs side turned up late in the first-half to produce an 18-0 half-time lead. They may have let in a couple of consolation tries but Dean Pay is sure to be content with the 22-8 triumph. The win means that the Dogs have won six out of six matches over the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.
Eels show resistance but fall at the final hurdle to the Roosters
The Eels would never have been expected to match it with the Roosters at the beginning of the season with their wooden spooner status. However after two straight wins, the Eels were brimming with confidence and took the lead on three occasions. Poor defensive lapses and unfortunate errors proved their undoing as the Premiers flexed their muscle and stormed to a 32-18 victory. It may not have been a satisfying result for the Blue and Golds but it definitely shows significant progress.
There’s only one (1) point that needs to be talked about….
That scoreline flattered the Broncos, 25-6 would have been more representative of the play.
With different (or at least competent) officiating that would have been the score.