Around the Grounds: Round 3

Get all the latest results, judiciary news, injuries and storylines to come out of Round 3 of the 2020 NRL season.

Parramatta 34 def. Brisbane 6

Parramatta continued their strong start to the 2020 competition with a dominant win over the Brisbane Broncos. The home side did their best to hang with the undefeated Eels — who led from start to finish — but couldn't match the intensity of the visitors late on and succumb to a heavy defeat in the end.

Judiciary: Brisbane will be without rising star Kotoni Staggs for next week after he was cited for a high tackle on Eels playmaker Dylan Brown.

Injuries: Alex Glenn (knee) suffered a nasty cut and is expected to miss the next couple of weeks, joining key forwards Tevita Pangai Junior and David Fifita on the sidelines. There was a successful return from injury for Matt Lodge, however, with the prop making his return on the night from the interchange bench.

Up Next: It doesn't get any easier for the Broncos, who welcome the two-time defending premiers in the Roosters to town next Thursday night, while the top-of-the-table Eels are at home to the Sea Eagles on Saturday.

North Queensland 36 def. Gold Coast 6

No Michael Morgan, no problems for North Queensland as the home side piled on the points against the Gold Coast Titans. Jason Taumalolo again paved the way with a dominant performance, while Scott Drinkwater and Valentine Holmes showed their class in the spine to get the hosts home comfortably.

Judiciary: No charges.

Injuries: Gavin Cooper missed the clash with a calf strain but could return next week for the Cowboys while Anthony Don may also be back for the Titans.

Up Next: North Queensland host a desperate Sharks side on Saturday night while the Gold Coast Titans host Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium.

Sydney Roosters 28 def. South Sydney 12

Billed as the marquee matchup of the round between two sides yet to show their best in 2020, it was the defending premiers who led from start to finish to record their first win of the season and dispel any doubts of a Premiership hangover.

Judiciary: Victor Radley could miss next week's game after he was cited for a one-week suspension, but the Roosters forward will contest the charge at the Judiciary. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is free to play after attracting a minor charge.

Injuries: No major injuries from either side.

Up Next: The Roosters head north to take on the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in the first match of the round while South Sydney travel south to face the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park in a game with plenty of intrigue about it.

NZ Warriors 18 def. St. George-Illawarra 0

After a tumultuous two months for the New Zealand Warriors, Stephen Kearney's side showed their class and grit to grind out a 18-0 win over the Dragons at Central Coast Stadium — completing a staggering 46 of 48 sets with the ball.

Judiciary: Agnatius Paasi will miss one week after he picked up a Dangerous Contact - Other charge, while Corey Norman is free to play with an early guilty plea from his Grade 1 Dangerous Contact - Head/Neck charge.

Injuries: Ben Hunt battled a cork in his calf throughout the contest but is expected to be right for Round 4, but the news isn't as good for Peta Hiku who left the field in the first half with a ribs injury. Lachlan Burr also missed the clash after picking up a head knock at training but is expected to return in Round 4.

Up Next: The Warriors head to Sydney's South West to face the Penrith Panthers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium while the Dragons host the winless Bulldogs in a Queens Birthday clash that could not be more desperate for both teams to win.

Wests Tigers 28 def. Cronulla 16

Wests Tigers fought back gallantly to down the Cronulla Sharks at Bankwest Stadium — keeping the home side at bay for the entire second half to emerge with a 12-point win that puts them back inside the competition's top eight.

Judiciary: Minor charges for both Alex Twal and Oliver Clark, but the pair are right to play next week with early guilty pleas.

Injuries: Sharks halfback Chad Townsend could miss a few weeks after picking up a hamstring injury throughout the second half, while Andrew Fifita — who was ruled out late on Saturday night — could be back available for selection. Matt Moylan, Josh Dugan and Briton Nikora all made successful returns from injury for the Sharks while Moses Mbye and Luke Brooks both played their first game of the year.

Up Next: Wests Tigers face their first trip under the new COVID-19 travel measures when they take on the Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium, while the Sharks are also in action in Queensland as they take on the Cowboys in Townsville.

Canberra 22 def. Melbourne 6

Off the back of a starring role from George Williams, Ricky Stuart's Raiders disposed of a sluggish Storm outfit to record their third straight win over Melbourne in Melbourne for the first time in club history.

Judiciary: Nelson Asofa-Solomona will miss Round 4 after he was cited by the Match Review Committee, but Nelson Asofa-Solomona is free to play with an early plea. 

Injuries: Storm forward Tui Kamikamica missed the Raiders clash with a back strain but could be back in time for Round 4, while Bailey Simonsson was a late withdrawal from the Raiders' side with a minor leg infection.

Up Next: Canberra take on the undefeated Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown in what shapes as a cracking Sunday afternoon clash while the Storm will be out for revenge when they host the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Friday night.

Newcastle 14 drew with Penrith 14

Missing a host of players pre-game and even more throughout it, it was a gutsy effort from the Newcastle Knights to fight their way back from 14-0 down and steal a point from the Panthers. Had Bradman Best been able to find Edrick Lee in Golden Point, it could have been a win to remember for the Novacastrians while Matt Burton's wayward field goal attempts ensured the points were shared.

Judiciary: Edrick Lee was charged with a Grade One Dangerous Contact - Head/Neck but is free to play next week with an early guilty plea.

Injuries: Already missing Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Jayden Brailey, Newcastle lost skipper Mitchell Pearce (head knock) and hooker Connor Watson (ankle) during the game while Tim Glasby battled injury bravely throughout the game.

Up Next: Newcastle will look to keep their unbeaten start to the year alive when they take on the competition favourites in Canberra, while the Panthers take on the Warriors at Campbelltown in the early game on Friday night.

Manly-Warringah 32 def. Canterbury-Bankstown 6

Tom Trbojevic scored two tries and had a hand in two others as the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles cruised to a 26-point win over the Bulldogs at Central Coast Stadium — lifting them back in to the top eight on the ladder.

Judiciary: No charges.

Injuries: Will Hopoate left the match early for the Bulldogs, who could welcome back Kieran Foran from a long-term injury in Round 4.

Up Next: Canterbury face the St. George-Illawarra Dragons in a must-win clash on the Queen's Birthday Public Holiday Monday while the Sea Eagles take on the ladder-leading Parramatta Eels at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday afternoon.