The third round of the 2025 NRL season saw multiple highlights, including the Melbourne Storm emerging victorious in the Grand Final rematch, the Broncos winning the Queensland derby, and the Tigers upsetting the Dolphins.
Storm exacts revenge in Grand Final rematch
After losing the 2024 NRL Grand Final, the Melbourne Storm have enacted revenge against the Penrith Panthers, defeating them 30-24 in the first match they have faced them in since losing last October.
Losing Nathan Cleary within the first ten minutes of the match, the Panthers came close to winning it in the final minute of the match as they got within six points due to a Brian To’o try (75th minute). But, the Storm managed to hold them off with Grant Anderson, Eliesa Katoa, Xavier Coates, Tyran Wishart and Ryan Papenhuyzen all crossing over the line.
However, the win has come at a cost for the Melbourne side with Anderson, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Nick Meaney and 2024 Dally M winner Jahrome Hughes all set to be ruled out for next week’s clash against the Dragons after sustaining injuries.
“We had that good start, and then he goes off, and some of the players probably thought … in the back of your mind you find a voice is telling you, ‘Oh, yeah, it’s going to be OK today,'” Bellamy said post-match.
“But they are a really professional team, and they know how to win, and you just can’t do that with them. It doesn’t matter who they’ve got on their side.”
Grant Anderson splits the Panthers defence and the Storm get the first points of the game 💥
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🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/peuN7Byvr1 pic.twitter.com/grgcvlbEa0— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 20, 2025
Cowboys fall as Broncos rise in Queensland derby
Stellar performances from duo Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas – 2025 Carl Webb Medal winner – led the Brisbane Broncos to defeat inner-state rivals North Queensland Cowboys 26-16 in the Queensland derby between the two sides.
In front of over 45,000 fans, halfback Adam Reynolds put on a show in attack which saw him play a part in nearly every try, make one line-break and even score one himself with fancy footwork and skill near the try-line.
Not to be outdone by his teammate, Payne Haas was also instrumental in the victory which saw him claim the 2025 Carl Webb Medal after a whopping 198 running metres, ten tackle busts, and a try to secure the win in the 71st minute of the match.
“It was a really good test of our character,” Brisbane coach Michael Maguire said post-match.
“To see the way they defended and their connection, it was great.”
The Cowboys have had all the possession but it's the Broncos who hit the scoreboard first!
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🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/ueGcCzijNJ pic.twitter.com/yKEL2AR3qT— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 21, 2025
Wests Tigers make it back-to-back wins
Having claimed three consecutive wooden spoons, many expected the Wests Tigers to be near the bottom of the ladder for the majority of the season. However, in a magical turn of events, they enter Round 4 with a 2-1 record after upsetting the Dolphins in Queensland last Saturday.
Entering Saturday as the undergo, they managed to come from behind and end the match with a 30-18 victory which was led by former Penrith Panthers premiership players Api Koroisau, Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva.
Leading on the front foot, Koroisau produced multiple match-winning plays before securing the win with five minutes to go in the contest. On the other hand, Luai kept the side calm in attack despite being down and Turuva bagged a double – this makes it five tries in his past two matches in Tigers colours.
“That was stressful,” Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall said post-match.
“We started a bit slow, but just the fight and determination in the second half…there were some big efforts to get us home and I’m proud of that effort and the resilience to keep fighting against a very good Dolphins outfit.
“There were some good individual plays that changed the game, and the skipper iced it for us.”
API KOROISAU, TAKE A BOW! 😍😍😍
Koroisau comes in clutch for the Tigers! 🐯
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🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/ZbmWzvC2n7 pic.twitter.com/6nuY9fb2fV— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 22, 2025