NRL season 2013: Round 3

Melbourne Storm v Canterbury Bulldogs at AAMI Park
Whoever predicted how this game was going to play out should buy themselves a lottery ticket.
There hasn't been a more intense finish to a game so far this season than this one. Most pundits expected the defending premier Storm to run riot over their opposition, and with a dominant first half under their belts (and a lead of 10-0) there was no reason why they couldn't. The Bulldogs had other plans, scoring two converted tries in the final 10 minutes to set up a grandstand finish. They didn't have points them, with the Storm keeping their unbeaten run intact.
Storm 22 Bulldogs 18

Wests Tigers v Parramatta Eels at Leichardt Oval
The Eels never deserved to be anywhere near in the hunt in this clash. The Tigers, who haven't exactly set the world on fire this season, had almost 70% possession in the first half. They only took a 16-0 lead into the half, but extended that to 30-6 after 52 minutes. Parramatta staged somewhat of a comeback, scoring two converted tries in as many minutes, but a Jacob Miller field goal in the 74th minute snuffed out whatever chance the Eels thought they had.
Tigers 31 Eels 18

Gold Coast Titans v Manly Sea Eagles at Skilled Park
The Titans came into this game off the back of a bit win over the Canberra Raiders. They seemed to take that form with them, but a tough first half only saw the teams separated by an Aiden Sezer penalty goal. The Titans made the most of their opportunity in the second half, crossing for two more tries before Manly staged a comeback. Tries to Jorge Taufua (2) and Tom Symonds, of which Jamie Lyon only converted one, saw the scores level at the 71 minute mark, until another Sezer penalty in the 76th minute got the Titans home.
Titans 16 Manly 14

Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos at Allianz Stadium
A real dogfight of a game that saw both teams struggle to score any points. An error-riddled performance from both teams marred the game, with the Roosters guilty of 16 and Brisbane turning it over 11 times. Roosters half James Maloney proved the different in the end, with his converted try in the first half and the extra penalty in the second stanza the only difference.
Roosters 8 Broncos 0

Cronulla Sharks v New Zealand Warriors at Shark Stadium
Can the Warriors get any worse? According to this game, yes they can.
The Warriors have been their own worst enemy all season, with simple mistakes, poor discipline and woeful defence marring what should be a good year for them. In this game it was missed tackles that proved crucial. Despite kicking TWO 40/20s, the Warriors missed 39 tackles on their way to a consolation try proving to be their only scoring play. That's not taking anything away from the folk of the Shire, who made metres at will and dictated the play for the whole 80 minutes.
Sharks 28 Warriors 4

Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Centrebet Stadium
Both teams forgot to pack their defence for the western trip in a match which produced 76 points.
The unbelievable scoring was well underway by halftime, as the teams traded nine tries by the break (Rabbitohs led 34-16). For most games it tends to even up in the second half, and that's almost what happened here as the Panthers mounted an unlikely comeback. It would be the Rabbitohs day in the sun however, as they scored two tries in the last five minutes to put the result beyond doubt.
Souths 44 Panthers 32

Canberra Raiders v St George Illawarra Dragons at Canberra Stadium
The hoodoo lives!
It has been over a decade since the Dragons have tasted victory in Canberra, and they'll be waiting at least another year after going down again. A tough opening 40 minutes saw only two tries scored, with a bizarre 45m field goal to Jamie Soward proving the difference. Usually the leading team slots the extra point, but not Soward who closed the gap to 6-5 at the break. They traded a few more tries in the second half, but a hat trick from fullback Reece Robinson gave the Raiders some breathing space, and their first win of the season.
Raiders 30 Dragons 17

Newcastle Knights v North Queensland Cowboys at Hunter Stadium
Who saw this result coming? I don't think many.
While some people may have predicted the winner, the weight of Newcastle's victory surprised many. With Kurt Gidley and Willie Mason rubbed out before kick-off, the Knights were expected to struggle against the red-hot Cowboys. Instead, Tyrone Roberts and Jarrod Mullen upstaged their opponents on their way to a big win. Roberts also took over kicking duties for the night, and ended with 14 points to his name.
Knights 34 Cowboys 6