The numbers that matter
The big winners of Round 3
No Luke Metcalf? No Chanel Harris-Tavita? No problem for the New Zealand Warriors, who overcame the adversity of a home crowd and an early 6-0 deficit to pile on three tries in each half and record another commanding and spirited victory led by Tanah Boyd.
We questioned a fortnight ago whether the Warriors would be able to find the consistency to expand upon their Round 1 win, and for just the second time in their history and the first since 2018, the Warriors are 3-0 after three games.
There was plenty to love about Jackson Ford's 100th NRL appearance as he tied with Boyd for five Dally M medal votes each, whilst Mitch Barnett's return off the bench in the 26th minute injected a bit of life into the Warriors' attack as they broke down a defiant Newcastle line twice in the final ten minutes of the first half, never looking back from there.
Where does Warriors head coach Andrew Webster slot Boyd into the side when incumbent halves Metcalf and Harris-Tavita are both fully fit? The latter may have to fight for his place back from the bench for the time being. It's an excellent dilemma to have.
The big losers of Round 3
Sydney Roosters became the first team in 2026 to take a lead against Penrith Panthers when Jimmy Tedesco and Robert Toia linked up to bust through for the opening try of what ended up being their second blowout loss of the season.
A side that has for years proudly been one of the better defences of the competition became the first of 2026 (soon followed by Parramatta on Sunday) to have conceded 100 points already, an average of 33 per game, and a completion rate of 67% was going to ensure they never came close to matching Penrith's attacking efficiency.
The new combination of Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans has not at all fired so far, and whilst halves pairings do need match practice to gel, they've already given the likes of Canterbury and Penrith a signficant head start in the top-four race.
Other big name recruit Reece Robson also struggled to make any offensive impact against Penrith.
Cherry-Evans has volunteered to face the media ahead of his return to Brookvale Oval this week, and if wanting to silence the hostile Sea Eagles' crowd doesn't get them up and about for a rousing victory, we're not sure what will.
The naughty boys
Here are the sanctions to have been accepted by all players for Round 3. Ryan Couchman has been sent to the tribunal, to be heard on Tuesday evening.
Josh Papalii (Raiders) - Grade 2 Careless High Tackle - 1 match
Tom Chester (Cowboys) - Grade 2 Careless High Tackle - 1 match
Trey Mooney (Knights) - Grade 2 Dangerous Contact - 1 match
Ryan Couchman (Dragons) - Dangerous Contact - Referred to tribunal
Jesse Ramien (Sharks) - Grade 1 Careless High Tackle- $1800
Api Koroisau (Wests Tigers) - Tripping - $1800
Joe Tapine (Raiders) - Grade 1 Careless High Tackle - $1000
Lachlan Galvin (Bulldogs) - Grade 1 Dangerous Contact - $1000
Kotoni Staggs (Broncos) - Grade 1 Careless High Tackle - $1000
Phoenix Crossland (Knights) - Grade 1 Dangerous Contact - $1000
Dane Gagai (Knights) - Grade 1 Dangerous Contact - $1000
Blayke Brailey (Sharks) - Tripping - $1000
Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs) - Grade 1 Careless High Tackle - $1000
Sam Verrills (Titans) - Grade 1 Careless High Tackle - $1000
Ken Irvine Medal leaderboard
Try of the Week
Next weekend's fixtures
