St George Illawarra Dragons vs Wests Tigers – Friday night – WIN Jubilee Oval

These sides met three times last year and they have a recent history of close encounters. Both sides will be hoping to bounce back from a round two loss, but the Dragons have to do a lot more bouncing than their opponent. Poor discipline, poor ball control and some serious issues with their right side defence resulted in one of their worst performances in years. Beau Scott has been named at right centre to plug the gap, but that Benji Marshall/Chris Lawrence combination looks set to entertain. Any of Marshall, Lawrence and Reddy appear as likely tryscorers in a side that looks to have more points in them than their opponents. The Dragons are favourites but:

Verdict – Tigers

Result - Dragons 36 defeated Tigers 12

Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos – Friday night – Hunter Stadium

The Broncos are without Corey Parker for some time after he succumbed to a thumb injury. There is no questioning his immense value to the team but the Broncos aren't shy of quality backrowers - Ben Teo shifts to lock, Sam Thaiday to the second row and Petero Civoniceva gets to start the game up front. The Knights may have a more difficult task on their hands covering for their injured skipper Kurt Gidley. Ryan Stig has been named in the halves but that may change - there is some chance Buderus could play there with the under-rated Matt Hilder starting at hooker. We'll see what the master coach comes up with on the night, but either way Jarrod Mullen needs to put together 80 minutes of composed football and a first-rate kicking game. With Gidley and Parker injured both sides have also lost their first-choice goal-kickers. Those duties will probably he delegated to Naiqama for the Knights and Wallace for the Broncos, and both are more than capable. Timana Tahu returns from suspension and one doesn't need a crystal ball to know that Justin Hodges will be testing his patience all night. Niggle niggle niggle. A tough one to pick in a tough round of football but I'll take the visitors in what should be a high-quality game.

Verdict – Broncos

Result - Broncos 24 defeated Knights 10

Gold Coast Titans vs Melbourne Storm – Saturday night – Skilled Park

There was a time, not so long ago, that the Titans had a very good record against the Storm. Then they played twice last season, and the Storm handed the Titans a footballing lesson on both occasions. Given what we have seen from these sides so far in 2012, another lesson looks likely. The Titans weren't at their worst last weekend but they still couldn't win against a side that had never won at Skilled Park previously. Likewise the Storm weren't at their best but were still good enough to secure a solid win over a quality opponent in the Bunnies. If the Storm had a poor night the Titans could spring an upset, but the Storm are the most consistent team in the competition. Given that coach Craig Bellamy was displeased with aspects of their game last weekend one can assume they'll be switched on this weekend. There are no certainties in this competition, and the Titans need to start winning some games at home if they want to get some decent crowds, but winning this weekend is a big ask.

Verdict – Storm

Result - Storm 30 defeated Titans 6

North Queensland Cowboys vs Parramatta Eels – Saturday night – Dairy Farmers Stadium

For reasons no-one can explain adequately the Eels always trouble the Cowboys and have won five of their last six clashes. The Eels have lost Jarryd Hayne but the return of Luke Burt and Nathan Hindmarsh are timely inclusions. Their effort against the Warriors was meritorious and the final score was not a fair indication of their performance. That said, a loss is a loss, and they have to back up from a Monday night game and travel to Townsville where the weather is likely to be warmer than the Eels would like. The Cowboys have no excuse this weekend, but I wouldn't talk anyone out of backing the Eels at the silly odds on offer. I have to tip the Cowboys, but I have an icky feeling about this one.

Verdict – Cowboys

Result - Cowboys 42 defeated Eels 6

New Zealand Warriors vs Canterbury Bulldogs – Sunday afternoon – Mt Smart Stadium

Are the Bulldogs the real deal? Is Des Hasler a genius? Probably not...and probably not, but if the Bulldogs win on Sunday afternoon I might have to rethink both questions. The Bulldogs are undefeated after two rounds and sit at the top of the table, but their opponents on both occasions were very disappointing. Perhaps they only played as well as the Bulldogs let them, but the Warriors should give us a better barometer of how good the Bulldogs really are. The Bulldogs have a pretty good record against the Warriors, but they won just one game away from Sydney last year and the Warriors will be keen to win their first game of the season at their home ground.  

Verdict – Warriors

Result - Bulldogs 32 defeated Warriors 18

Sydney Roosters vs Canberra Raiders – Sunday afternoon – Allianz Stadium

More than seventy points. I haven't a clue who will win this game but I'm pretty sure these sides will rack up more than seventy points on Sunday afternoon. That will be quite a turnaround for the Roosters who couldn't score a point last weekend in what was a truly awful performance against the Panthers. They have to improve on that, because I don't think they can get any worse. Despite that extraordinary display of craptacular football the Roosters are favourites to win this game. The Raiders have been in very good form so far this season. When these sides met in the second half of last year at this venue the Raiders bolted in, and they did it without Josh Dugan. I think they'll win again and win well.

Verdict – Raiders

Result - Roosters 14 defeated Raiders 8

Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs – Sunday afternoon – Centrebet Stadium

The Rabbits were desperately unlucky in round one and they held their own against the Storm in Melbourne for much of that encounter. Their form is better than it looks and the bunnies are close. Penrith were convincing winners last week but I have this nagging doubt about them that I haven't been able to shake since about 2009. They are a slight favourite here, but the Rabbitohs have a stronger pack of forwards and their playmakers should continue to improve as the season progresses. 

Verdict – Rabbitohs

Result - Rabbitohs 40 defeated Panthers 24

Cronulla Sharks vs Manly Sea Eagles – Monday night – Toyota Stadium

You'll need a very good time machine to go back and watch the last time the Sharks beat the Sea Eagles. If you have a very good time machine you'll need to set the controls to round one of 2008. Those without a time machine can head to Toyota Stadium on Monday night and hope for the best. At their best Cronulla would be good enough, but we haven't seen their best thus far in 2012. The Sea Eagles are two from two thus far and should continue on their merry way. Daly 'minimum wage' Cherry-Evans will be up for a big game to show the Manly board he is worth every cent. Here it is folks...my lock of the week.

Verdict – Sea Eagles

Result - Sharks 17 defeated Sea Eagles 14

Wally Lewis - round three selections (in bold)

Note: tips from Wally will be published as soon as possible (usually on Thursday night or early Friday morning).

• Dragons vs TIGERS
• Knights vs BRONCOS
• Titans vs STORM
• COWBOYS vs Eels
• WARRIORS vs Bulldogs
• ROOSTERS vs Raiders
• PANTHERS vs Rabbitohs
• Sharks vs SEA EAGLES