Manly Sea Eagles vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Friday night – Brookvale Oval

The Bulldogs were convincing winners over the Eels in round two, and the Eels were convincing winners over the Sea Eagles in round one. All things being equal the Bulldogs should win this in a canter. Unfortunately, the maths never quite adds up in the NRL - not the way I try to calculate it anyway (I always forget to carry the Foran). No Foran again this weekend with Feleti Mateo pulling on the '6' jersey. This move does weaken the Sea Eagles pack and the Bulldogs are one opponent you don't want to face with a weakened pack. When I match these forwards against each other I have the Bulldogs a long way in front, and when I look at the interchange for these sides the gap widens further. But as I said earlier, the maths never quite adds up so this could go either way on the night. Take note I am 0 from 4 in games involving these sides in season 2015, and my Friday night form is much the same.

Verdict – Bulldogs by 4

Result - Bulldogs 16 defeated Sea Eagles 12

Brisbane Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys – Friday night – Suncorp Stadium

The Broncos scored two of the nuffiest tries I've ever seen in their dour victory over the Sharks - but a try is a try whether it's nuffy or not, and it was two more than their opponent. The Cowboys narrow loss to the Knights was particularly disappointing for The Thinker - who was set to have drinks with the team after the match...if they won. The Cowboys were muscled out of that game, but whether the Broncos can do what the Knights did is another matter. The Cowboys pack will be under clear instructions - lay a platform and protect your most valuable resource. The Broncos are nowhere near as big as the Knights, and the Cowboys forwards will step up for the big Queensland derby (no doubt Ben Hannant will put his hand up for a big game too). Both teams look to be struggling in attack to my eye - perhaps this is the game where things start to click but I'm expecting a close low-scoring encounter. Assuming he can open his eyes a Jonathan Thurston conversion will prove the difference.

Verdict – Cowboys by 2

Result - Broncos 44 defeated Cowboys 22

New Zealand Warriors vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday afternoon – Mt Smart Stadium

These are the sort of games the Warriors used to take to Eden Park, but they must be sick of losing. Shaun Johnson is named and let's assume he's playing until we hear otherwise - clearly the equation changes considerably if he's a late withdrawal. The Eels are without Beau Champion and Semi Radradra, and changes to your backline aren't ideal when you're facing the Warriors - a team that are capable of just about anything on their day. Chris Sandow is being monitored, but has been named. More often than not the Warriors turn up to play for their first game of the season at Mt Smart, and tipping them at home is the logical way to go.

Verdict – Warriors by 10

Result - Warriors 29 defeated Eels 16

Canberra Raiders vs St George Illawarra Dragons – Saturday afternoon – GIO Stadium

In recent seasons the Dragons have struggled to cross the stripe, and the same issue seems to be dogging their 2015 campaign also. Winning games without scoring points is difficult and, I suspect, mathematically impossible. Beyond that, they are on a short turnaround from Monday night and they have to travel to Canberra and beat a team they almost never beat. There are no good things in the NRL (and everytime I suggest there is I get it wrong), but I can't think of any other way to describe this fixture.

Verdict – Raiders by 8

Result - Dragons 22 defeated Raiders 20

Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday night – AAMI Park

If the Sharks can't score a try at home against the Broncos I have to doubt them against the miserly defence of the Storm in Melbourne. Storm coach Craig Bellamy was particularly scathing last weekend (even though I think they were a little unlucky) and the Sharks are set to pay the price. Those keen for a bet could do a lot worse than back the Sharks to score 6 points or less on Saturday night - zero is a likely proposition.

Verdict – Storm by 16

Result - Storm 36 defeated Sharks 18

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Wests Tigers – Sunday afternoon – ANZ Stadium

Someone loses their first game of the season on Sunday afternoon, and when I say someone I can probably say the Tigers. A one point win over an understrength Titans and a big win over the Dragons, convincing as it was, is an entirely different level to the defending premiers. The Bunnies have scored 70 points from two outings thus far and they'll be adding another 40 or so this weekend. Regardless, I'm expecting a very entertaining game and a very busy scoreboard attendant.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 20

Result - Rabbitohs 20 defeated Tigers 6

Gold Coast Titans vs Newcastle Knights – Sunday night – Robina Stadium

Greg Bird, Dave Taylor and Beau Falloon are back for the Titans, despite the fact that legal proceedings hang over their heads. At full time it might be worth having a chat to Chris Houston who could potentially offer some valuable advice. There was a lot to like about the performance of the Knights last weekend - even if I didn't enjoy it at the time. They were tough, they defended well and they found the try-line when the opportunities presented. Get those three things right and you will win 95% of football games. I think they'll win again. Bird and Taylor are likely to try too hard on the weekend - hoping to make up for lost time. When they do that they tend to play worse rather than better.

Verdict – Knights by 4

Result - Knights 20 defeated Titans 18

Sydney Roosters vs Penrith Panthers – Monday night – Allianz Stadium

And the last game of the round is the best game of the round. Both teams were impressive last weekend. Granted the Roosters didn't win, but it's looking like competing with the Rabbitohs will be the high water mark in season 2015. The Panthers couldn't have done much more than they did in their demolition of the Titans, but that form has to have some sort of question mark over it. Jamie Soward is out for the Panthers but his replacement (Isaac John) is handy and the return of Josh Mansour is a huge include. This will be close, but I'm sticken with the chickens and their settled pairing in the halves.

Verdict – Roosters by 4

Result - Roosters 20 defeated Panthers 12

Wally Lewis - round three selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Thursday night or early Friday morning.

• Sea Eagles vs BULLDOGS
• BRONCOS vs Cowboys
• WARRIORS vs Eels
• RAIDERS vs Dragons
• STORM vs Sharks
• RABBITOHS vs Tigers
• Titans vs KNIGHTS
• ROOSTERS vs Panthers