TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 30: Andrew Fifita of the Sharks is tackled by Jake Granville of the Cowboys during the round three NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Cronulla Sharks at 1300SMILES Stadium on March 30, 2019 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

1. Rabbitohs (1)

Despite an almighty scare at the hands of the Titans, the Bunnies have three straight victories. They ran on without Greg Inglis and lost Braidon Burns early but managed to get the job done. Campbell Graham continues his 100% strike rate of tries in 2019, crossing for a double. They let the Titans get closer than they should but are looking good heading into round four.

2. Storm (3)

If the Storm were flying under the radar across the opening fortnight of 2019, they're not now. The purple Haze were destructive on Saturday night, crushing the Panthers. Cam Smith is less than a month from becoming the game's highest scorer. You simply can't say enough about how good Cam Munster is. The Storm wingers are in another league. Kenny Bromwich is fast becoming a super star.

3. Roosters (7)

Here come the Premiers. Luke Keary turned in a second straight masterclass to lead the tri-colours to a second win sans Cooper Cronk. James Tedesco reminded everyone why he's the game's premier number one. It was good to see Angus Chrichton play big minutes and make almost 40 tackles and 120 metres. Sio Siua Taukeiaho is ensuring that Dylan Napa is not being missed. Jake Friend's injury looks a big concern.

4. Raiders (9)

A bigger jump than I'd usually like to see but the Raiders are worth their top four spot here. Sam Williams is an underrated footballer. He scored a try, made a line break and kicked for 213 metres after being called in to replace Aiden Sezer. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had a blinder, scoring for two tries. John Bateman has been the early find of the season. Josh Hodgson had his best game of 2019.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad of the Canberra Raiders scores a try during the round 3 Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights match at GIO Stadium on March 29, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

5. Tigers (2)

A hugely disappointing weekend for the former table-topping Tigers. A 22-8 loss to the Bulldogs won't make any highlight reels and acted as a reality check after a dream opening fortnight. Trailing 18-0 at half time the Tigers did not react as you'd expect. Esan Marsters was a beast out side but otherwise there wasn't much to write home about. Only Alex Twal and Michael Chee-Kam topped 100 metres for the Tigers forwards. Tough for Luke Brooks and co with that stat.

6. Eels (4)

A 32-18 scoreline did not accurately represent how close that game was. They never looked like besting the Roosters but they were in the fight. Maika Sivo scored a double while Blake Ferguson continued his amazing start to the season. Clint Gutherson looks back near his brilliant best. They made too many mistakes in possession with 12 errors but otherwise matched the Roosters in the stats.

7. Sharks (11)

How about that second half!? Trailing 10-6 at the break after one of the most putrid 40 minute 'efforts' in the game's history, the Sharks went bang in the second stanza with six tries. Five tries in 20 minutes ended the contest. Whatever John Morris had to say at the break worked. Josh Morris and Chad Townsend both scored doubles while Blayke Brailey opened his account. Injuries to Paul Gallen and Matt Moylan ruined an otherwise brilliant night.

8. Broncos (5)

On paper the Broncos were one Jamayne Isaako fade from going 2-1 but they were only close to the Dragons due to two lucky tries. That said, Brisbane did enough to win this game but fell just short. Corey Oates can't stop scoring while Jack Bird again looked good. The Broncs need far more from their halves. TPJ had a night to forget despite topping the run metres for his side with 172.

9. Dragons (13)

The red V are on the board. A literal last play field goal from Corey Norman opened their 2019 account. A potentially very serious injury to Gareth Widdop was the only blight on an otherwise brilliant night in the QLD capital. Paul Vaughan was a monster up front making 189 metres. How much better was this side with Widdop at six and a clear plan? Who would have thought? ...

10. Warriors (6)

Oh no. This was what we were all fearing in the pre-season. The Warriors' big round one win now seems like a long time ago. The 46-12 thumping at the hands of the Sea Eagles will surely send shivers down the spines of Warriors fans. RTS aside they were very poor. 40 missed tackles ... Gerard Beale went unused, a huge waste of a bench position. Their wingers were hugely out played.

11. Sea Eagles (14)

What a difference a week can make. Last week Manly were whopped by an under manned Roosters side, this week they're tearing the Warriors to shreds. DCE was rampant, Marty Taupau and AFB were beasts and Tommy Turbo was at his magical best. Manase Fainu looked dangerous every time he touched the ball and crossed for a try. That Turbo/DCE combination is a joy to watch.

12. Cowboys (8)

Leading 10-6 at halftime I don't think any Cowboys fans saw that second half coming. They conceded five tries in 20 minutes and never looked back in the contest as a result. They missed 33 tackles and shipped 42 points to a team that made 16 errors and conceded nine penalties. The TMM fullback experiment is surely over after just one game.

13. Knights (10)

Mark it down, we've surely seen the end of Kalyn Ponga in the number six. For the third straight week the Knights have stunted in attack and haven't gotten much from their star number one. The Knights' big men are letting them down, with the Raiders running for over 400 more metres. Jesse Ramien reminded everyone that he is a Ferrari largely going to waste out wide. They have a lot to work on.

14. Bulldogs (15)

Last week they were the Dogs of poor, this week they were the Dogs of Phwoar!!! Kieran Foran lead the Bulldogs to a 22-8 win few saw coming. Rhyse Martin made a huge difference upon his return to the top grade. 18-0 up at halftime the Dogs were the better team in every aspect. Dylan Napa is a try scoring genius. Jayden Okunbor was incredible on debut. Great win. Entertainment plus.

15. Panthers (12)

Yuk! For as good as the Storm were, the Panthers we're equally bad. The 32-2 loss in ice cold Bathurst was a horror to watch for those supporting the 'home' team. A fifth minute penalty goal was all she wrote for a side known for attacking play. 58% completion rate. Zero line breaks. 40 missed tackles. 17 errors. Enough said.

16. Titans (16)

The Titans were far improved from the past two weeks yet remain winless after three weeks. They really miss both of their halves, no shock. Jai Arrow had more help this week up front. Anthony Don broke the record for tries scored for the Titans. Nine penalties conceded to one is cause for concern, especially when the Bunnies were gifted three shots at goal.

4 COMMENTS

  1. So Dan……Manly were “whopped by an undermanned Roosters side” (Cronk & Friend) but no mention of Manly being undermanned?? Do Tom Trbojevic, Dylan Walker, Addin Fonua Blake, Taniela Paseka ring a bell? Be nice to read a fair assessment rather than make excuses for an ‘undermanned’ Roosters!

  2. Taniela paseka ?Who? Yeah he would of won it by himself . Don’t forget manlys trainer was undermanned . He had a Boyle on his leg .

  3. Lets see now, The bunnies just beat last placed Titans after a scare but somehow they go ahead of the storm who had a run away win over the highly fancied Panthers. I guess that 2 + 2 = 5 when you went to school Dan.

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