Penrith Panthers vs Brisbane Broncos – Thursday night – BlueBet Stadium

Kevin Walters doesn't want me to talk about it, but this is the grand final rematch, a game that still leaves many a Broncos fan quivering in the foetal position in the corner of the room. A win here doesn't make up for that, but it would feel pretty good. They'll need to win without Adam Reynolds, who aggravated a knee and will take some time to return. Jock Madden pairs up with Ezra Mam in the halves in the interim. The Panthers have lost key forward James Fisher-Harris, with Lindsay Smith partnering Leota in the front row. Significant withdrawals for both teams, but I've spoken at length about how important Reynolds is to the Broncos kicking game and general compusure. That they are heading to Penrith where their record is almost awkward (one win in 15 years) makes it hard to tip against the home team here.

Verdict – Panthers by 7

Result – Panthers 34 defeated Broncos 12

New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders – Friday night – Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch

The Warriors are yet to win this season, and the Raiders are yet to lose. The Warriors have led in both their games thus far, only to be run down. You can't call it a trend after two games, but it will start to get into their heads should it continue. Another sold out venue for the Warriors at home, this time in the south island where rugby league is definitely the lesser known rugby code. This game has been sold out for some time - there's clearly an appetite for league in New Zealand and it's only a matter of time before we have a second New Zealand side in an expanded NRL competition. Wayde Egan has been named to return, but Harris-Tevita is on the extended bench should be a late withdrawal. The hamstring of Nicoll-Klokstad has kept him off the field for at least another week. For the undefeated Raiders, Whitehead returns to bolster what could be the most under-rated pack of the forwards in the NRL. Seb Kris will miss the game with concussion - Cotric slots into the backline on the wing and Hopoate shifts into the centres. While the Warriors are winless, it's notable that the two teams they've played are undefeated. It's also noteworthy that the two teams the Raiders have beaten haven't won a game yet. I'm willing to argue that competitive losses to the Sharks and Storm is fair form, and reason enough to tip the Warriors at home.

Verdict – Warriors by 4

Result – Warriors 18 defeated Raiders 10

Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Friday night – Allianz Stadium

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has had his fair share of suspensions over the years, but his most recent one (and, technically, all those that preceeded it) means he gets to play game number 300 against a bitter rival. The Chooks were going to be up for this anyway, but that has to help. Few players reach that milestone, and very few get their playing in the toughest position of all. I briefly wondered if he was the first prop to play 300 games with one club, until I remembered he played a handful of games for Manly before he moved to Bondi. Some changes for the chickens, with Luke Keary ruled out and Sandon Smith joining Walker in the halves. Cricton returns for his 100th NRL game in the red, white and blue, while Connor Watson is back after overcoming a long term injury. Significant roster changes for the Bunnies as they come to terms with a ladder position they haven't been familiar with for many seasons. Ilias has been dropped and will be replaced by Dean Hawkins, while Richie Kennar makes way for star recruit Jack Wighton in the centres. The changes don't end there for the Bunnies, with coach Demetriou rotating through his pack of forwards as he seeks a winning formula. There's no doubt the Bunnies will turn up with their playing ears on this Friday, and it's games like these where Latrell Mitchell (the very sweary bear) is likely to stand up and deliver. With his good friend Wighton in the centres, expect more involvement from Mitchell on that left edge in attack. The Bunnies have also had three extra days to prepare for this clash. In a game that is likely to be played with high intensity, the Bunnies could be finishing this game with fresher legs.

Verdict – Rabbitohs by 1

Result – Roosters 48 defeated Rabbitohs 6

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Titans – Saturday afternon – Belmore Sports Ground

The Titans (and many of us) were thrown a curve ball when Kieran Foran was a late withdrawal from their game in round one. He returns here, which helps, a little. The Bulldogs lost 25-6 to the Sharks last week but that final scoreline doesn't reflect how competitive that contest was. Assuming the Dogs continue to improve, as they should, I expect they'll be too good at home.

Verdict – Bulldogs by 8

​​​​​​​Result – Bulldogs 32 defeated Titans 0

St George Illawarra Dragons vs North Queensland Cowboys – Saturday afternoon – Netstrata Jubilee Stadium

Decision time - are the 2024 Dragons more like the round one Dragons or the round two Dragons? Round one was a 28-4 crushing of the Titans on the Gold Coast. Eight days later they lose 38-0 to a team who were disappointing in round one. Here they face the Cowboys, who racked up 43 points in round one against the team that flogged the Dragons in round two. On face value those results should have Dragons fans concerned. Some notable inclusions for both sides in this game - Jesse Marschke (who still works as a carpenter) makes his NRL debut at dummy half and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki replaces the injured Heilum Luki in the second row for the Cowboys. A number of clubs are sniffing around trying to poach Finefeuiaki, and on Saturday we are likely to see why.

Verdict – Cowboys by 10

​​​​​​​Result – Cowboys 46 defeated Dragons 24

Wests Tigers vs Cronulla Sharks – Saturday night – Leichhardt Oval

Every year I talk about the Cronulla Sharks being blessed by the draw, so I may as well get that out of the way now. This year the Cronulla Sharks play the top three teams from last season once each. Their one game against the Broncos will be played just three days after the first State of Origin game. But the blessings don't end there. The Sharks get to play the bottom three teams from last season twice. So very blessed, but just one premiership in the cabinet. That's not likely to change in 2024, but they have gotten off to a very solid start. The Tigers weren't awesome in their first hitout for the season, but there are signs of life. Galvin was promising on debut, and Bula continues to get better and better at fullback. Justin Olam makes his debut for the club in the centres, and will be keen to make a splash in front of his new home crowd. I doubt the Tigers can cause an upset here, but I'm expecting a contest. Hynes with a late field goal to claim the two points.

Verdict – Sharks by 1

​​​​​​​Result – Tigers 32 defeated Sharks 6

Parramatta Eels vs Manly Sea Eagles – Sunday afternoon – CommBank Stadium

With a number of high profile games in round three, this Sunday afternoon clash has been lost a little bit...but it could end up being the game of the round. The Sea Eagles are undefeated and playing attractive football, and the Eels held their own against the Panthers last week. Back at home at a ground where they often shine brightest, the Eels will give a good account of themselves here. The Eels have named Blaize Talagi (who sounds like a Gladiator) in the centres, with Harper moving to wing to cover for Bailey Simonsson. Expect the Sea Eagles to target Parramatta on the edges. Luke Brooks, as I had hoped, has finally found a home and he's in a good place - perhaps it was the Tigers that were holding him back all these years, and not the other way around. It's something of an upset, but I see no reason to tip against the Sea Eagles yet.

Verdict – Sea Eagles by 4

​​​​​​​Result – Eels 28 defeated Sea Eagles 24

Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm – Sunday afternoon – McDonald Jones Stadium

Did any of you see the try scored by Xavier Coates last week? Yeah, you're probably have seen it. It's one of the best I think, particularly given the circumstances at the time. He's no slouch, and he's also responsible for one of the best try-saving tackles you'll ever see. I've included the video for that, because it was a while ago, and some of you may not have actually seen it (or remember it). This is another cracking game and they're hard to split, but I'm leaning to the Knights for two reasons - Sunday afternoon in Newcastle is their preferred habitat, and the absence of Jahrome Hughes for the Storm is a huge ommision. A halves combination of Pezet and Wishart is okay, but it's not easy stepping into the shoes of Munster and Hughes.

Verdict – Knights by 4

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Result – Knights 14 defeated Storm 12

Wally Lewis - round three selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published on Wednesday night or Thursday morning

• PANTHERS vs Broncos
• WARRIORS vs Raiders 
• ROOSTERS vs Rabbitohs
• BULLDOGS vs Titans
• Dragons vs COWBOYS
• Tigers vs SHARKS
• EELS vs Sea Eagles
• Knights vs STORM