Round 4 has already arrived and what a ride the first three rounds have been! In round 3 we saw some incredibly unfortunate injury's, we saw Tommy Turbo return back to elite form! And we saw some big guns let a few coaches down with some disappointing scores. So what will round 4 bring? In this blog we'll be previewing every game of the round and providing some insight into what we might expect in the week ahead. What do you think round 3 hold for us? let us know who you agree with and who else you might have selected down below on all of our social channels twitter, facebook, instagram, discord.
Parramatta Eels V Penrith Panthers
Thursday 23rd of March - 7:00pm AEST
We have a grand final rematch on our hands to kick things off in round 4! Parramatta take on the Penrith Panthers who are coming off a bye round last week. Parramatta falling excruciatingly close in a 34-30 thrilling loss to Manly in round 3. Both teams have some big inclusions. Ryan Matterson returns for Parramatta after serving is grand final suspension. For Penrith, Scott Sorensen returns from a nasty head knock.
Which stars for both teams step up? Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Dylan Edwards, Stephen Crichton, Isaah Yeo, Brian To'o or Mitchell Moses, Dylan Brown, Clint Gutherson, J'maine Hopgood, Maika Sivo? Only time will tell!
Predictions!
Parramatta 16 - 22 Penrith Dylan Edwards - 50 GDS fantasy points
Melbourne Storm V Wests Tigers
Friday 24th of March - 5:00pm AEST
The elephant in the room is... will Cameron Munster return? The answer is yes! Muster will return from a nasty finger injury he suffered in round 1. The Storm are crying out for their playmaker to return and he will instantly be a big fantasy piece to slot back into a bunch of sides! The Tigers will also welcome back some big names! Forward Isaiah Papali'i is due to return from suspensions while dynamic fullback Daine Laurie and Jake Simpkin will also return.
Can Nick Meaney keep producing from the fullback position while Ryan Papenhuyzen remains out indefinitely? With his full-time fullback role, Meaney has put up very good scores of 59, 36 and 63 GDS fantasy point games in the first three rounds. Can he keep it up? He could be a great point-of-difference option if he does! Predictions! Melbourne 18 - 6 Wests Tigers Nick Meaney - 45 GDS fantasy points
Dolphins V Brisbane Broncos
Friday 24th of March - 7:00pm AEST
The first iteration of the Dolphins v Broncos rivalry is set to kick off on Friday prime time! Both teams are in incredible form heading into this matchup, both clubs perched up at the top of the table, Brisbane first and the Dolphins second. Both clubs come into this game relatively full strength as well, Felise Kaufusi will miss as he faces suspension. Brisbane will likely be unchanged for the top of the table clash! Payne Haas as been about as hot as can be to start the 2023 season! Can he punish the Dolphins under light and in primetime on Friday? If I were a betting man, I'd wager yes. The Dolphins boast the NRL’s leading point scorer (Jamayne Isaako) and two of the leading try-scorers (Isaako and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow). Can the dynamic duo of Isaako and Hamiso keep lighting the league alight?
Predictions! Dolphins 18 - 20 Brisbane Patrick Carrigan - 60 GDS fantasy points
North Queensland Cowboys V Gold Coast Titans
Saturday 25th of March - 4:30pm AEST Another Queensland derby as the North Queensland Cowboys take on the Gold Coast Titans in another big clash. The Cowboys will look to get back into the winners circle after going down to the New Zealand Warriors last week. On the flip side, Gold Coast have their tail up after causing an upset win over the Melbourne Storm and are sitting pretty in the top half of the table right now!
Can Reuben Cotter grace us with a big score once again! Since Cotter's big score of 62 GDS fantasy points in round 1, owners have been left reeling with scores of just 37 and 33 to back it up. Look for the big guy to make up for it in round 4! Predictions! North Queensland 14 - 12 Gold Coast Reuben Cotter - 50 GDS fantasy points
South Sydney Rabbitohs V Manly Sea Eagles
Saturday 25th of March - 6:35pm AEST
Another blockbuster matchup late on Saturday for footy and fantasy fans to feast on as the Rabbitohs go to battle against the Manly Sea Eagles. The Sea Eagles have been on fire! Scoring 30+ points in both matchups and tearing 2022's runner's up in the Eels to shreds at times last week. South Sydney have been streaky but look poised to piece a very good run together. Jason Demetriou looks like he has some decisions to make, Hame Sele looks to be out with the NRL's new HIA protocols, Shaquai Mitchell and Tevita Tatola look set to miss this match up as well. The big news for Manly is that Josh Schuster looks set to line up in the halves with Daly Cherry-Evans all season long, he had three try assists in round 3.
Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 22 tries in his last 12 games at Accor Stadium. Can he keep those insane numbers up? He might be a shout for some fantasy teams out there if he can. Predictions! South Sydney 26 - 14 Manly Damien Cook - 62 GDS fantasy points
New Zealand Warriors V Canterbury Bulldogs
Sunday 26th of March - 1:00pm AEST Two top eight teams meet early on Sunday as New Zealand take on the Canterbury Bulldogs. The Bulldogs haven't won at Mt Smart Stadium since 2011! But are coming off a 26-22 win against the Tigers. New Zealand are in even better form, dismantling the North Queensland Cowboys 26-12 in round 3. One of New Zealand's best men so far looks set to miss this match up, Wade Egan entered HIA protocols last week. Luckily, full back Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will return this week to bolster the side! Tevita Pangai Junior's calf injury will keep him out of play for at least another week.
An interesting stat coming into this game - no halves pairing in the league has more line break assists than Shaun Johnson and Te Maire Martin, both come into this game with 5 each which tops the competition. Can they continue to tear it up as a pair?
Predictions! New Zealand 22 - 16 Canterbury
Tohu Harris - 55 GDS fantasy points
Newcastle Knights V Canberra Raiders
Sunday 26th of March - 3:05pm AEST
Newcastle take on Canberra in the mid-Sunday slot! Both teams come into this game with one win each so far this season, and both teams will be hungry to make it two. It is expected that gun Newcastle hooker Jayden Brailey will be named in the starting side. Greg Marzhew and Kurt Mann are also back for the Knights. Raiders hooker Danny Levi will miss some time with a broken jaw. Canberra will be bolstered by the return of cult hero Josh Papali'i.
Hudson Young returned to form last week, scoring 48 points against a stout Cronulla Shark outfit. Young has also scored a try in each of his last 3 meetings against Newcastle! Let's hope that trend continues for Young owners. Predictions! Newcastle 8 - 24 Canberra
Hudson Young - 53 GDS fantasy points
St George Illawarra Dragons V Cronulla Sharks
Sunday 26th of March - 5:15pm AEST
The news is in! The Sharkies main man is back, Nicho Hynes will suit up on Sunday after missing the first three rounds. What a fitting way to end the round with one of the leagues best lighting it up. In Dragons news Aaron Woods returns as well as rookie Toby Couchman for suffered a head knock in round 1.
Is there any rust on Nicho Hynes? He's a class act I doubt he struggles he against St George. I'm predicted he takes off right where he left last year and puts up a big score!
Predictions! St George 8 - 25 Sharks Nicho Hynes - 60 GDS fantasy points