Friday 16 March 2012

NRL 2012: Round 3 NRL Preview Tips Teams Predictions Late Mail Fantasy News Odds

ROUND 3 NRL TIPPING PREVIEW
By W D Nicolson 

In Round 2, the Dragons folded and the Dogs barked... in other less surprising news, the Eels and Titans are still ordinary. Welcome to 2012.

For more on Round 3, check out the Podcast and Preview below.

For game-specific Late Mail every week - check back on Friday (or if there's an earlier game, earlier) for all your tipping and fantasy game needs.

Latest Podcast 14/03/2012: Download as MP3
NOT The Footy Show Episode 95 - NRL Round 3 Preview

Subscribe to the NRL Podcast by following this link on iTunes: NOT The Footy Show on iTunes
If you play Fantasy League Games - Dream Team, Super Coach or Fantasy NRL - our comp information is below.
1st Prize: NRL Match Steeden Ball. 2nd to 5th: NTFS Club Mascot T-Shirts.
NRL PREVIEW ROUND 3 - 2012
14/03 Odds are courtesy of Sportingbet Australia
For some more insight into the markets check out NOT The Footy Show's new resident tipster's site GT Tips http://www.gttips.co.uk
All Kick-Offs are LOCAL time.


FRIDAY - MARCH 16
DRAGONS $1.87 v $1.95 TIGERS    
EVEN LINE | GAME STATS | @ WIN Jubilee, Kogarah. 7:45pm Kick-Off.
NRL TWEET PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTERS
Justin Davies and Greg Delaney. Follow #NRLTweetPOTY for every Vote in 2012.
COMING IN
St.George-Illawarra are 1-1 and in 13th, Wests Tigers are 1-1 and in 10th.
HEAD TO HEAD LAST 10
STI 5 WTG 5
The Tigers won 2 of 3 in 2011, including the semi final in week 1. The Dragons have won the past 3 games at WIN Jubilee.
TUESDAY TEAM NEWS

STI: K Stanley, B Morris, B Scott, M Cooper, J Nightingale, J Soward, B Hornby (c), J Latimore, M Rein, M Weyman, M Prior, B Creagh, D Young.
Bench: N Fien, L Ah Mau, T Merrin, J de Belin. 
[Team Changes - Beau Scott is picked despite playing half a game against the Bulldogs, Matt Cooper will return from an ankle injury. Dean Young is named at lock but expect Jack De Belin to start again. Leeson Ah Mau took an early plea for a dangerous tackle charge and will play. Dan Hunt is close to returning but probably not this week. ]

WTG: T Humble, B Ryan, B Ayshford, C Lawrence, J Reddy, B Marshall, T Moltzen, A Woods, R Farah (c), M Groat, A Blair, G Ellis, C Heighington.
Bench: L Fulton, B Murdoch-Masila, M Bell, S Meaney, J Moors.
[Team Changes - Joel Reddy is the new winger for the injured Matt Utai, while Gareth Ellis is long odds to play due to a badly corked thigh. Ben Murdoch-Masila, Matthew Bell and Junior Moors could all play if Ellis cannot. Sean Meaney looks like the new utility back on the bench. ]
THURSDAY GAME PREVIEW
Listen to the Podcast. More written preview Friday morning. 
TIPPING AND FANTASY LATE MAIL
SMH and Other Late Mail - Matt Cooper and Beau Scott remain in some doubt, Nathan Green will play if one of them is out. Gareth Ellis is unlikely to play due to a corked thigh.

THE NRL TWEET'S PICK
Dragons by 7.

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NOT The Footy Show Episode 93 - NRL Round 3 Video Preview - Coming Thursday Night

1st Prize: Your name permanent markered onto our prestigious NTFS Trophy and a NTFS T-Shirt for the Top 3 finishers.
We have two comps running in Dream Team and Super Coach.

FRIDAY - MARCH 16
KNIGHTS $1.91 v $1.91 BRONCOS    
EVEN LINE | GAME STATS | @ Hunter Stadium, Newcastle. 8:30pm Kick-Off.
NRL TWEET PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTERS
Warrick Nicolson and Michael McLucas. Follow #NRLTweetPOTY for every Vote in 2012.
COMING IN
Newcastle are 1-1 and in 4th, Brisbane are 1-1 and in 6th.
HEAD TO HEAD LAST 10
NEW 3 BRI 7
The Broncos won both games in 2011, but the Knights won the three previous and 2 of the last 3 at Hunter Stadium.
TUESDAY TEAM NEWS

NEW: D Boyd, J McManus, T Tahu, W Naiqama, A Uate, R Stig, J Mullen, K Snowden, D Buderus (c), A Cuthbertson, C Houston, Z Taia, N Costigan.
Bench: M Hilder, R Fa'aoso, J Edwards, A McKinnon, E Tuimavave, M Filipo.
[Team Changes - Timana Tahu comes back from suspension at the expense of Junior Sa'u who goes back to NSW Cup. Kurt Gidley is out for at least a few weeks, and Ryan Stig is named to return from a knee injury that kept him out of the pre-season. Zeb Taia is named to start, despite being ousted by Alex McKinnon last weekend. Evarn Tuimavave and Marvin Filipo are the extra men on the bench. ]

BRI: J Hoffman, G Beale, J Reed, J Hodges, J Yow Yeh, C Norman, P Wallace, B Hannant, A McCullough, P Civoniceva, A Glenn, S Thaiday (c), B Te'o.
Bench: B Hunt, J McGuire, M Gillett, S Anderson.
[Team Changes - The Broncos lose Corey Parker for about a month with a thumb injury, so Sam Thaiday goes to the second row, Ben Te'o to lock and Petero Civoniceva starts at prop. Scott Anderson is the new face on the bench, after being a late withdrawal from the bench in Round 1. ]
THURSDAY GAME PREVIEW
Listen to the Podcast. More written preview Friday morning.
TIPPING AND FANTASY LATE MAIL
SMH and Other Late Mail - The Knights have doubts over Ryan Stig and Neville Costigan, with Matt Hilder set to go to five-eighth and Evarn Tuimavave to get a run on the bench. The Broncos should be 1-17.

THE NRL TWEET'S PICK
Brisbane by 4.

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SATURDAY - MARCH 17
TITANS $2.85 v $1.44 STORM      
GLD +7.0 | GAME STATS | @ Skilled Park, Gold Coast. 4:30pm Kick-Off.
NRL TWEET PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTERS
Greg Delaney and Michael McLucas. Follow #NRLTweetPOTY for every Vote in 2012.
COMING IN
Gold Coast are 1-1 and in 9th, Melbourne are 2-0 and in 2nd.
HEAD TO HEAD LAST 10
GLD 3 MEL 4
Melbourne won both games in 2011 comfortably, 40-16 in Round 23 and 40-12 in Round 2.
TUESDAY TEAM NEWS

GLD: W Zillman, S Michaels, J Idris, B Champion, D Peyroux, J Rankin, S Prince (c), L Bailey, K Lawton, N Myles, G Bird, M Minichiello, A Harrison.
Bench: L Douglas, M White, B Ridge, M Srama, B Lawrence, L O'Dwyer.
[Team Changes - Beau Champion is back on deck, and he moves into the centres and Dominique Peyroux goes to the wing for the injured David Mead. Brenton Lawrence and Luke O'Dwyer are the extra players on the bench, with talk that Jamal Idris, Steve Michaels and Luke Douglas are in doubt with injury. ]

MEL: B Slater, M Duffie, D Nielsen, J O'Neill, A Quinn, G Widdop, C Cronk, J Bromwich, C Smith (c), B Norrie, S Manu, R Hoffman, T Lowrie.
Bench: R Hinchcliffe, K Proctor, S Vave, J Ryles, R Kostjasyn.
[Team Changes - The Storm regained Jason Ryles for Round 2 and he is on the bench again this week. Rory Kostjasyn is added to a five man bench, but the starting team is unchanged. Billy Slater has a foot concern but should play. ]
THURSDAY GAME PREVIEW
Listen to the Podcast. More written preview Friday morning. 
TIPPING AND FANTASY LATE MAIL
SMH and Other Late Mail - Billy Slater and Gareth Widdop have had light weeks but should play. Idris (now out and replaced by Bodene Thompson), Douglas and Michaels remain in doubt for the Titans. Dane Nielsen it out after a training mishap saw him loose some teeth, Maurice Blair will start.

THE NRL TWEET'S PICK
Storm by 12.

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SATURDAY - MARCH 17
COWBOYS $1.37 v $3.15 EELS      
PAR +8.5 | GAME STATS | @ Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville. 7:30pm Kick-Off.
NRL TWEET PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTERS
Matthew Duncan and Ben Hoese. Follow #NRLTweetPOTY for every Vote in 2012.
COMING IN
North Queensland are 1-1 and in 12th, Parramatta are 0-2 and in 16th.
HEAD TO HEAD LAST 10
NQL 4 PAR 6
They split their 2011 games, but Parramatta had won 5 straight before the Cowboys won in Round 10 last year.
TUESDAY TEAM NEWS

NQL: M Bowen, A Graham, B Tate, K Linnett, A Winterstein, J Thurston (c), R Thompson, M Scott (c), A Payne, J Tamou, G Cooper, G Hall, D Johnson.
Bench: J Segeyaro, J Riethmuller, A Sims, J Taumalolo, C Paterson, T Martin.
[Team Changes - Glenn Hall returns from a foot problem, so Cory Paterson goes back to the bench and Tyson Martin is a fresh face on the bench. Brent Tate got through Round 2 with bad ribs but should play. ]

PAR: L Burt, K Sio, R Morgan, W Tonga, C Blair, B Roberts, C Sandow, T Mannah, M Keating, M Allgood, N Hindmarsh (c), T Lasalo, R Maitua.
Bench: C McGuire, FF MoiMoi, J Poore, J Paulo.
[Team Changes - Jarryd Hayne will miss a few weeks at least with a knee problem, while Esi Tonga is out with a hamstring injury. Nathan Hindmarsh comes back from the flu in the second row, while Junior Paulo goes back to the bench. Pat O'Hanlon goes back to NSW Cup, and Ryan Morgan and Luke Burt are back from Wentworthville. ]
THURSDAY GAME PREVIEW
Listen to the Podcast. More written preview Friday morning. 
TIPPING AND FANTASY LATE MAIL
SMH and Other Late Mail - The Cowboys still have some players to cut from their bench, while the Eels will get Nathan Hindmarsh back from the flu, while Pat O'Hanlon and Shane Shackleton are on standby for FuiFui MoiMoi.

THE NRL TWEET'S PICK
Cowboys by 10.

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SUNDAY - MARCH 18
WARRIORS $1.52 v $2.57 BULLDOGS       
CBY +5.5 | GAME STATS | @ Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland. 2:00pm Kick-Off.
NRL TWEET PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTERS
Craig Buchanan and Ben Hoese. Follow #NRLTweetPOTY for every Vote in 2012.
COMING IN
Warriors are 1-1 and in 7th, Canterbury are 2-0 and in 1st.
HEAD TO HEAD LAST 10
WAR 4 CBY 6
The Warriors have won the past 2 and 4 of the last 6 but the Dogs have a great recent record at Mt Smart - winning 4 of the last 6 at the ground since 2005.
TUESDAY TEAM NEWS

WAR: K Locke, B Tupou, K Hurrell, K Inu, M Vatuvei, J Maloney, S Johnson, Sione Lousi, N Friend, B Matulino, F Mateo, S Mannering (c), E Taylor.
Bench: R Packer, U Ta'ai, B Henry, L Brown, G Fisiiahi, A Mara, S Ikahihifo.
[Team Changes - The Warriors are unchanged, with Krisnan Inu back at centre and Ben Henry on the bench. Glen Fisiiahi, Alehana Mara and Sebastine Ikahihifo are once again the extra players on the bench. Don't expect Micheal Luck or Jerome Ropati this week, but they might not be far away. ]

CBY: B Barba, S Turner, J Morris, J Wright, B Goodwin, J Reynolds, T Hodkinson, A Tolman, M Ennis (c), S Kasiano, F Pritchard, D Halatau, D Stagg.
Bench: J Graham, G Eastwood, C Payne, J Romelo, M Taupau.
[Team Changes - Frank Pritchard is back from suspension in the only change for the Dogs. Greg Eastwood moves back to the bench and Joel Romelo is the new face on a five man bench. ]
THURSDAY GAME PREVIEW
Listen to the Podcast. More written preview Friday morning. 
TIPPING AND FANTASY LATE MAIL
SMH and Other Late Mail - Expect minimal changes to either side, with only rookie Konrad Hurrell in any doubt after copping a head knock against Parramatta..

THE NRL TWEET'S PICK
Warriors by 6.

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SUNDAY - MARCH 18
ROOSTERS $1.81 v $2.02 RAIDERS       
CAN +1.5 | GAME STATS | @ Allianz Stadium, Sydney. 2:00pm Kick-Off.
NRL TWEET PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTERS
Maria Tsialis and Warrick Nicolson. Follow #NRLTweetPOTY for every Vote in 2012.
COMING IN
Sydney are 1-1 and in 11th, Canberra are 1-1 and in 8th.
HEAD TO HEAD LAST 10
SYD 6 CAN 4
The Roosters had won every game played at the SFS since 1998 but Canberra smashed them 38-12 in Round 17 last year. The Roosters have won 3 of the last 4.
TUESDAY TEAM NEWS

SYD: A Minichiello, J Carney, J Leilua, S Kenny-Dowall, S Perrett, B Anasta (c), M Pearce, J Waerea-Hargreaves, J Friend, M Kennedy, A Guerra, M Aubusson, F-P Nuuausala.
Bench: B Cordner, M Masoe, L Tasi, A Mitchell, D Mortimer, T Arona.
[Team Changes - No Tautau Moga again, but Shaun Kenny-Dowall is back from a kidney problem. Mitchell Aubusson goes to the backrow, with Boyd Cordner moved to the bench. Martin Kennedy starts at prop, with Lama Tasi on the pine. Daniel Mortimer is 18th man and Tinirau Arona is 19th man. ]

CAN: J Dugan, B Ferguson, J Croker, S Berrigan, J Wighton, T Campese (c), J McCrone, D Shillington, T Waddell, B White, J Papalii, B Harrison, S Fensom.
Bench: G Buttriss, J Thompson, T Thurling, S Mataora, J Picker.
[Team Changes - Dane Tilse has been lost for about a month with a rib injury, while Tom Learoyd-Lahrs isn't ready to return from a foot injury. Sam Mataora and Joe Picker are the new men on the bench]
THURSDAY GAME PREVIEW
Listen to the Podcast. More written preview Friday morning. 
TIPPING AND FANTASY LATE MAIL
SMH and Other Late Mail - Canberra should be 1-16 with one of Sam Mataora or Joe Picker missing out. The Roosters will have Shaun Kenny-Dowall while Tautau Moga could be a late inclusion. There is talk that Tom Learoyd-Lahrs could also be a late inclusion for the Raiders.

THE NRL TWEET'S PICK
Raiders by 4.

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SUNDAY - MARCH 18
PANTHERS $1.81 v $2.02 RABBITOHS      
SOU +1.5 | GAME STATS | @ Centrebet Stadium, Penrith. 3:00pm Kick-Off.
NRL TWEET PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTERS
Matt Spillane and Matt Vickers. Follow #NRLTweetPOTY for every Vote in 2012.
COMING IN
Penrith are 1-1 and in 5th, South Sydney are 0-2 and in 14th.
HEAD TO HEAD LAST 10
PEN 6 SOU 4
Penrith have won the past two games at Centrebet Stadium and have not been beaten at the ground by the Bunnies in quite a while.
TUESDAY TEAM NEWS

PEN: L Coote, E Uaisele, M Jennings, B Tighe, S Earl, T Burns, L Walsh, S McKendry, K Kingston, D Weston, L Lewis (c), C Newton, N Smith.
Bench: N Seluini, C Armit, C Ciraldo, B Austin, D Galea.
[Team Changes - Blake Austin is back from a corked quad, but David Simmons and Tim Grant aren't fit. Cameron Ciraldo and Clint Newton swap places on the team sheet after switching on game day. Danny Galea is the 18th man. ]

SOU: D Farrell, A Everingham, M King, G Inglis, S Corrigan, J Sutton, A Reynolds, S Geddes, I Luke, R Asotasi, S Burgess, D Taylor, M Crocker.
Bench: D Tyrrell, C McQueen, E Pettybourne, J Clark, N Peats.
[Team Changes - Nathan Merritt's foot injury is a big concern and he is unlikely to play this week. Fetuli Talanoa has been dropped, Chris McQueen goes back to the bench and Andrew Everingham and Shaun Corrigan are the new wingers. Scott Geddes starts at prop, with Sam Burgess in the second row. Nathan Peats is 18th man, suggesting that Issac Luke's starting spot is permanent. Jason Clark is back on the bench. ]
THURSDAY GAME PREVIEW
Listen to the Podcast. More written preview Friday morning. 
TIPPING AND FANTASY LATE MAIL
SMH and Other Late Mail - David Simmons could return from a head knock and play in place of Etu Uaisele, while Blake Austin is a likely starter for the Panthers, while South Sydney will not get Nathan Merritt back this week. Greg Inglis however is set to play fullback in an effort to get him more ball.

THE NRL TWEET'S PICK
Rabbitohs by 8.

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MONDAY - MARCH 20
SHARKS $2.64 v $1.50 SEA EAGLES      
CRO +6.0 | GAME STATS | @ Toyota Stadium, Cronulla. 7:00pm Kick-Off.
NRL TWEET PLAYER OF THE YEAR VOTERS
Nigel Wilbow and Matt Duncan. Follow #NRLTweetPOTY for every Vote in 2012.
COMING IN
Cronulla are 0-2 and in 14th, Manly are 2-0 and in 3rd.
HEAD TO HEAD LAST 10
CRO 2 MAN 8
The Sharks have dropped the last 6 straight including 4 at Shark Park.
TUESDAY TEAM NEWS

CRO: N Gardner, S Mills, B Pomeroy, C Best, J Williams, T Carney, J Robson, B Gibbs, I De Gois, B Ross, J Smith, J Bukuya, P Gallen (c).
Bench: A Fifita, W Graham, J Morris, A Tupou, M Taufua, S Tagataese.
[Team Changes - Changes a-go-go for the Sharks. Jeff Robson comes in at halfback, Todd Carney goes to five-eighth, Wade Graham to the bench, Bryce Gibbs returns at prop and Andrew Fifita is back on the bench. Mark Taufua and Sam Tagataese are the extra players on the interchange, where Anthony Tupou also finds himself and Jon Green has been dropped. ]

MAN: B Stewart, M Oldfield, J Lyon (c), D Whare, D Williams, K Foran, D Cherry-Evans, J King (c), M Ballin, B Kite, A Watmough, T Williams, D Harrison.
Bench: J Buhrer, V Mauro, D Lussick, T Robinson.
[Team Changes - The Sea Eagles retained the same 17 that defeated the Tigers last Friday. Glenn Stewart will not be back for a few more weeks, while Daniel Harrison holds onto the lock forward spot after being a surprise call up in Round 2. ]
THURSDAY GAME PREVIEW
Listen to the Podcast. More written preview Friday morning. 
TIPPING AND FANTASY LATE MAIL
SMH and Other Late Mail - Bryce Gibbs is out. Manly may make a change in their backline but there will be no Glenn Stewart this week.

THE NRL TWEET'S PICK
Sea Eagles by 4.

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CLICK FOR MOST RECENT UPDATE
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This year not only do you get The NRL Tweet's Tips each week but the whole NOT The Footy Show team will have their picks listed by Thursday so you can back a smoky or a favourite by seeing who we all picked (or didn't pick). 
@NRLTWEET's 2012 TIPPING RECORD 
TOTAL AFTER 2 ROUNDS - 9/16 @ 56.3%
SPECIAL FRIED RICE involves each tipster taking a 'certainty' in a set order, with the tipster with the highest score at the end of the year literally winning a mountain of Special Fried Rice.
ROUND 3 SELECTIONS
Dragons
Broncos
Storm
Cowboys
Warriors
Raiders
Rabbitohs
Sea Eagles
LW: 4/8 | SEASON 9/16
Special Fried Rice: SEA EAGLES
Season SFR: 2/2
Not on Twitter
Nic McInerney, NTFS Co-Host
Tigers
Broncos
Storm
Cowboys
Warriors
Raiders
Rabbitohs
Sea Eagles
LW: 4/8 | SEASON 9/16
Special Fried Rice: BRONCOS
Season SFR: 2/2
@mrpeninsula
Tigers
Broncos
Storm
Cowboys
Warriors
Raiders
Rabbitohs
Sea Eagles
LW: 6/8 | SEASON: 9/16
Special Fried Rice: COWBOYS
Season SFR: 2/2

Not on Twitter
DC Chapman, NTFS Co-Host
Dragons
Broncos
Storm
Cowboys
Warriors
Raiders
Panthers
Sea Eagles
LW: 5/8 | SEASON 11/16
Special Fried Rice: STORM
Season SFR: 1/2

@mtsialis
Maria Tsialis, Big League Magazine
Tigers
Broncos
Storm
Eels
Bulldogs
Raiders
Panthers
Sharks
LW: 3/8 | SEASON 7/16
Special Fried Rice: TIGERS
Season SFR: 1/2

@GT_Tips
George 'GT' Taylor, GT's Tips Expert
Dragons
Knights
Storm
Cowboys
Warriors
Raiders
Rabbitohs
Sea Eagles
LW: 3/8 | SEASON 7/16
Special Fried Rice: WARRIORS
Season SFR: 0/2
Not on Twitter
Eyes, The Kid Who Sees All
Tigers
Knights
Titans
Cowboys
Bulldogs
Raiders
Rabbitohs
Sea Eagles
LW: 5/8 | SEASON 10/16
Eyes does not eat Special Fried Rice... yet.
Make sure you enter NOT The Footy Show's Tipping Competition, the outright winner walks away with an Official Steeden Match ball!
1st Prize: NRL Match Steeden Ball. 2nd to 5th: NTFS Club Mascot T-Shirts.
TIPS DONE, GO OUT AND ENJOY THE FOOTY!
If you want a full 2012 NRL Season Preview you'll need to pick yourself up a copy of the 2012 Rugby League Almanac for just $10.00 - where every team is analysed in depth and our Predicted Ladder and Premiership pick is published.


So while you go grab a copy, here is the short sharp and boldly premature 2012 Prediction for each NRL Club. If you want our Final Ladder - see the Almanac.

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