NRL Round 3 | Draw

NRL Tips Round 3 | Free Game Preview

Sea Eagles vs. Raiders

Brookvale
-2.5 market line
49.5 total points (market position)

Looks likely the game of the round and an exciting contest!

Eagles off a poor last start away loss, but return home to the hallowed ground of Brookvale where their record is so strong, the joint will be full and pumping and you’d suggest we see more rub of the green than last week and a rebound response. The Eagles have an outstanding record when returning home off a loss, and their line record here is also excellent having covered 20 of the last 32.

While we saw a response from the Warriors last week, the Eagles could well have led comfortably early (at least 3 tries). By the same token, their second-half offering was poor, not rolling their sleeves up when they needed to and pushing back against the momentum. They get the positive option of being back at Brookvale and a bit of a wake up call off that loss.

But, they also now lose Turbo, a significant out and lessens the potent running attack that they can offer. His out and has moved the market 4 points, but they do have a bit of depth in slotting guys into his role, but he is indeed a talent and as the latest king of Brookvale will be sorely missed.

To be fair, the Raiders are the form team of all two game offerings at present, and last week’s home win was their best of the short sample. Physical, strong D, very smart use of the ball and everyone on the same page and a very unified offering. They are playing well.

The Eagles have won 10 of its last 14 overall against Canberra, but the Raiders have won their last two at Brookvale – including the spectacular comeback from 20-0 down to win 26-24 last season. Unfortunately that loss after being up 20-0 earmarks how the Eagles from one moment to another let alone one week to another can be so hot and cold.

This is a tough road / away gig, but the Raiders, with their positive recent record at this ground, will love turning up as the underdog—off two quality offerings and the stand out offering of the early rounds!

I think this game is decided through the middle third of the ground. Unfortunately, Tapine is still an out for the Raiders but they were outstanding last week led by Papalii and Horsburgh, the match up with Paseka, Taukeiaho and Aloiai should be a tough, the battle of yardage and physical dominance key to how much of this unfolds.

With this being just round 3 and some early season form fluctuations the norm I was happy to just want to watch this one and learn some more. I am very interested to see what the Eagles bring, with significant question marks over the game’s flow and depth of last weeks contest in Auckland (and a disappointing loss) how do they respond, and at home? Up against a quality opponent who look up and about early with a nice blend of physical play through the middle, some tidy ball play on their edges and an as yet under rated halves pairing.

Looks an excellent contest and the match up of the round. Small lean to Eagles and a response at fortress Brookvale, but expect we will learn a lot about both from this. With Turbo an out the points total looked high at 49.5, points normally rain down at Brookvale but in a game lacking his classy influence and the likely Raiders defensive influence my angle would be under 49.5

Tip: Eagles
Points: Under 49.5