Talking Points from Round 3, Brisbane Broncos and Michael Maguire answer critics, State of Origin teams, selection

The Broncos answered their critics with a big win against the Storm. Now, there is a new “challenge” after they made a “statement” to the rest of the NRL.

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Meanwhile, a Kangaroos snub seems to have brought out the best of a superstar who is already in the front seat for Origin selection.

Plus, speaking of Origin, is a smokey looming after an impressive start to the year?

Read on for the key NRL Talking Points from Round 3.

BRONCOS JUST MADE A ‘STATEMENT’… HERE’S WHAT THEY CAN’T DO NEXT

With their backs against the wall, what the Broncos were able to achieve on Friday night was pretty impressive.

Entering the clash against the Storm as massive underdogs after a poor pre-season, a winless start to 2026, another week in the headlines and unfair pressure mounting on the coach, a potential 0-3 start loomed.

That looked extremely likely when Melbourne shot out to a 14-0 lead at half time.

The Broncos had seen this movie before. They trailed Melbourne by 12 at the break in last year’s grand final before storming home.

However, given their shocking recent record at AAMI Park and the Broncos’ form this year compared to the blistering touch their opponents were in, it looked near-impossible Brisbane would chase the Storm down this time.

Somehow, they found a way and according to Hall-of-Fame halfback Cooper Cronk, it was because the little things were done right.

“When the Broncos do all the fundamentals of our game well, gee they are a good team but when they commit errors and ill-discipline creeps into their game, they are middle of the road,” Cronk said.

“They cannot get down to 14-0 every time and expect to win those games all the time.”

It was a tale of two halves for Maguire’s men.

Discipline and silly errors have proven costly this season and that extended to the first half of the Storm game when they made seven errors, conceded four penalties and completed just 62% (13/21) of sets.

In the second half, they were 20/22 meaning they could build momentum and constantly threaten the Storm’s line.

That led to points but even more importantly, their defence tightened up significantly.

The Storm had scored 112 points across their first five halves of footy but after half time, were unable to crack Brisbane’s defence.

According to Cronk, it is a display that could set the tone for the Broncos’ season.

“When you’re down 14-0 away to one of the better teams in the comp and your defence is still like this, there’s a lot that you can build on for the rest of the season,” Cronk said.

“A lot of teams down in Melbourne by that margin wouldn’t come out in that care factor in defence… so there’s a lot for Maguire to build on.

“Yes they’ve had a slow start to the season but to win in Melbourne down 14-0 doesn’t happen too often. There’s a lot they can take away from that.”

While the mood at Red Hill on Monday morning will be significantly lighter after breaking the 2026 duck the last thing Maguire can let his team do is repeat nasty habits.

“The challenge for the Broncos is that they can’t go up and down for the next eight weeks,” Cronk warned.

“They’ve just made a statement to the comp and have a lot of confidence back in their group. “They should continue to trend up, but they have to just stop being so erratic with the fundamentals because they are way too talented to be forcing their hand at 14-0 when they could easily compete in the play, defend well, complete well and then blow teams away.”

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BLOWTORCH ON ROOSTERS AFTER ANOTHER SLOW START TO SEASON

Three games into the 2026 season and the Roosters’ pre-season favouritism tag looks a long way off the mark after they were thrashed for the second time in three weeks.

The Roosters bounced back from their horror 42-18 loss to the Warriors to beat the Rabbitohs 26-18 in Round 2, but after scoring first against the Panthers they conceded 40 straight points to lose 40-4.

The loss leaves the Roosters anchored in the bottom four, which is a long way from their pre-season predictions that had them in the top four and a potential premiership threat.

History says you can’t win the title from outside the top four and while it is early days, the Roosters can’t afford to have another season of scraping into the top eight and expecting to make a deep finals run.

The arrival of Daly Cherry-Evans and Reece Robson was supposed to take the Roosters to the next level, but both played against the Panthers and had little impact in attack.

Cherry-Evans was solid in defence with 25 tackles and just one miss, but he managed just 29 run metres and zero try involvements with ball in hand.

Robson playing his first game of the season after a thumb injury setback was strong in defence with 37 tackles and just three misses and while he had 45 run metres, he also had zero try involvements.

Combinations need time to build, so the Roosters can be afforded some leeway to get their spine clicking, but if they give the likes of the Panthers, Storm, Bulldogs and Warriors and the resurgent defending premiers the Broncos too much of a headstart, they may struggle to catch them in the top-four race.

However, for their attack to thrive, they need to improve their defence and Cooper Cronk believes that is where Trent Robinson has to start to turn around their season.

“Two 40-point results conceded in week one and week three is not good for a team that knows you’ve got to be one of the best defensive teams to play finals,” Cronk said on Fox League.

“It was almost like their goal-line defence wasn’t able to get the line speed and make good decisions to attack the Panthers.”

Cronk warned the Roosters need time to build their combinations, but they can’t afford to drop too many more games over the next couple of months heading into the Origin period, given they will lose plenty of players to representative duties.

“They’ll be a work in progress but they’re going to be a team that cop a little bit of flak if they lose and they’ll get a lot of wraps when they win,” Cronk said.

“And for the next sort of four to six weeks, they need to find their rhythm and their style of play and start banking in some wins and consistency.

“Because if there are more losses than wins in eight or ten weeks’ time, then there’s going to be a lot of noise around the Roosters.”

Kevin Walters agreed the Roosters spine “needs some work” and said isn’t panic stations quite yet being so early in the season, but Greg Alexander had doubts around the way Cherry-Evans is being used in attack given he is traditionally a halfback.

“I don’t know whether playing out the back to Cherry-Evans suits his game style,” Alexander said.

“I think he needs to be on the ball in the front line and challenging the defence with his running and passing games.”

There were question marks around the Sam Walker and Cherry-Evans halves partnership before the season and on the early evidence they have a long way to go to make it work and Hugo Savala will be keeping the pressure on them after his breakout year in 2025.

‘BLOWN UP THE GPS’: UNSUNG HERO PROVES DRAMA WON’T DERAIL SEASON

Forget Bronson Xerri. All the talk and headlines were about the wantaway Bulldogs centre after he was dropped by Cameron Ciraldo this week and reportedly tried to agitate for an early release.

But when the Bulldogs took to the field on Thursday night, none of it mattered as long as his replacement, Enari Tuala, did a job.

And coach Cameron Ciraldo was quick to turn his attention to Tuala after demoting Xerri, praising the 27-year old’s work ethic following their 14-10 win over the Raiders in Canberra.

If you purely look at attacking numbers, nothing around Tuala’s performance in particular was exactly eye-catching. The centre played 80 minutes and had 10 runs for 73 metres, making only 17 post-contact metres in the process.

However, despite his attacking numbers not setting the world alight, it was in defence where he made his mark in the nation’s capital, making 23 tackles in the centres and missing two. He made almost twice as many tackles as centre partner Stephen Crichton who made 13 and missed three.

Tuala also came up with a crucial try-saving effort late in the game, which was critical considering the Bulldogs only won by four points in the end.

The decision to drop Xerri in favour of Tuala had been the biggest discussion point around the NRL last week, but Ciraldo has backed his decision despite the noise — and it was hard not to agree based on what Tuala produced.

“The sports scientist came up at halftime and (Tuala’s) basically blown up the GPS,” Ciraldo said in the post-match press conference.

“He was working that hard. I think that’s a credit to him.”

With Xerri seemingly on the outer, Ciraldo has made it perfectly clear he believes Tuala has earned the spot in the team as opposed to Xerri losing his.

While all the talk is around where Xerri ends up at the end of this saga, Tuala’s workman-like performance proved it will be far from disruptive for a professional Bulldogs team that is determined to build on last year’s success.

Asked about the off-field drama involving Xerri, Ciraldo declared his players handled the situation “great”.

“There might be stuff going on off the field, but they’re really good at just staying process-minded and getting on with the job,” he said.

Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton agreed: “It’s always been process-driven with us, regardless of media and regardless of the noise that’s outside.

“We know within our four walls who we represent and what we’re playing for. As long as our leaders are driving that, the whole group follows that.”

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KANGAROOS SNUB ‘LIGHTS FIRE’ FOR ORIGIN FRONTRUNNER

Much was made about the fullback battle between James Tedesco and Dylan Edwards leading up to Friday’s Roosters-Panthers blockbuster.

For good reason too, given it’s never too early to discuss potential Origin selections.

At this stage, Tedesco and Edwards are the only two in the running for the Blues’ No. 1 jersey. It’s been that way for a few years now.

Edwards is the incumbent in a losing side and after Tedesco won last year’s Dally M, he would’ve levelled up in the race for the chance to represent the Blues in 2026.

After the 80 minutes was won and done at Allianz Stadium on Friday night though, there was one clear leader in that race: Edwards.

“He couldn’t have played any better,” Fox League’s Braith Anasta said following Penrith’s 40-4 thumping.

It’s hard to argue with. Edwards was everywhere.

He scored two tries, had two line breaks, four tackle busts and made several terrific defensive efforts, a couple of which saved certain Roosters tries.

In fairness to Tedesco, he was clearly the best of a beaten bunch, but he was outplayed by his opposite number.

Speaking to Fox League after the game, Panthers skipper Isaah Yeo called Edwards “the form player of the comp”, crediting the work his teammate has done after what was an underwhelming 2025 campaign.

“He’s been outstanding for us,” Yeo said.

“On the back of last year where he said he was down on form and confidence but he’s had a wonderful pre-season and the way he’s started this season, he’s been key to our success.

“The work he does off the ball and his defence and the way he puts us in our positions.”

Following the season, Edwards lost his Test jersey to Broncos star Reece Walsh for the Ashes series.

Edwards was named in the squad but didn’t see the field.

His club coach believes that has also been a contributing factor of the fullback’s blistering 2026 form.

“You could see it coming in the pre-season. Did it (the Test snub) light a fire? Probably, yeah,” Ivan Cleary

“I think he’s already mentioned that he felt he landed in last year a little underdone, coming off surgery and sort of just picked up little injuries along the way. Still had a decent year but probably not to Dyl’s standards.”

Premiership winning half Cooper Cronk agreed with Yeo and Cleary’s assessment that Edwards didn’t enjoy his best season last year.

In Cronk’s opinion, Edwards looked lethargic at times and believes the off-season has done him the world of good.

“At the back end of the last year he played tired. Maybe injured but this year, he looks fresh,” Cronk said.

“He’s got back to his best level and it’s a reflection of what the Panthers are doing. It’s a scary prospect as all their best players are firing.”

ORIGIN SMOKEY EMERGES… AND NOW ‘EVERYONE’S FINALLY SEEING IT’

Jackson Ford was considered an outside or slim chance of being in the Origin frame to start the season — but his form can’t be ignored.

The Warriors gun has been nothing short of immense to start the season and he added another stellar performance to his resume to down the Knights.

The 28-year-old has become an integral figure in New Zealand’s engine room and he tallied 187 running metres, five tackle breaks and two linebreaks to go with a try on Saturday.

It will be music to Laurie Daley’s ears, with Ford eligible to play for NSW, hailing from the south coast and coming through the Dragons pathways system.

Throw in the mix the new extended bench rules, which will allow Daley to pick six players on the pine — and Ford is a genuine shout to earn an Origin debut.

While Ford is getting his flowers, Warriors coach Andrew Webster was of the belief Ford has been a quiet achiever for an extended period.

His performance against Newcastle was also timely given he was also playing his 100th NRL game, and he also played 80 minutes.

“I think he’s getting a lot of praise at the moment Jackson, he deserves it,” Webster said.

“But we kind of have been celebrating him internally for a long time now and I’m glad everyone’s finally seeing it.

“Really happy for him in his 100th game, I think he’s played 60-odd games for our club, he’s going to go on to be a long-time Warrior which is good.”

Webster’s last comment could hint to an impending extension, with Ford currently signed until the end of the 2027 season.

With many more years to come in his NRL career, New Zealand powerbrokers could be hoping Ford can pick up the slack left by the looming departure of veteran Mitch Barnett.

On his return from an ACL injury, Barnett showed his class but will join the Broncos in 2027 after being granted a release on compassionate grounds.

The Warriors have a particularly tough time signing players to make the move across the Tasman, making it all the more important to retain their key stars.

Ford is undoubtedly one of those players the club can build around for years to come, and there’s a very small numbers of front rowers who can churn out 80 minute performances.

Marata Niukore is also reportedly departing at the end of the 2026 season, while Kurt Capewell is 32 and could play for several more years.

But Ford’s importance moving forward as a key figure for the Warriors can’t be understated.

‘BRAVE’ MOMENT PROVES WHY BUNNIES’ LATRELL CALL WAS RIGHT ONE

“Small in stature, but so brave”.

That sums up Jye Gray according to legendary playmaker Kieran Foran.

The Rabbitohs fullback delivered a moment that will remain in the minds of the Souths faithful for years to come, even though their gritty victory may not.

As the scores sat at 20-16 to the Rabbitohs, with nine minutes on the clock, barnstorming winger Jeral Skelton collected a pass and picked his target.

He charged at Gray, who pressed forward and increased the space between him and the tryline, taking down the flyer who towers over him with his initial contact.

It’s become a hallmark of Gray’s game and a large reason why master coach Wayne Bennett refused to drop the 22-year-old leading into the 2026 season in favour of a fully fit Latrell Mitchell.

“If this is me I am literally getting out of the way and Jeral Skelton is winning the game, but 80 kilogram (Jye Gray) just throws his body in front,” Cooper Cronk said.

“Absorbs the contact and that doesn’t do it justice. When you’ve got the smallest guy on the field, taking on the biggest it just says ‘hey, they are not going to score this game’.

“This two points means a lot, I thought he was tremendous. Yes he had the HIA concern… but Jye Gray has been given an opportunity in the fullback jersey.

“He has made Latrell Mitchell move to the centres, he is a hell of a player.”

Mitchell’s move to the centres has also been a resounding success, with the marquee man delivering several strong performances to start the season.

Gray, meanwhile, has gone about his business.

“They missed 30 tackles and had 17 errors (against the Tigers), but moments like that and efforts like that reveal what the Bunnies are about and Jye Gray epitomises that,” Yvonne Sampson said.

“He will never be beaten on effort, even though there is not a huge amount of him. He is an absolute pocket rocket and he will never be beaten on effort.”

Of those 30 missed tackles, Gray contributed only one while making nine — including several crucial efforts.

“That’s what this guy does, small in stature but so brave. He just keeps turning up for his team,” Kieran Foran said.

“They would love the courage that Jye Gray shows week in, week out.”

Gray’s attack has also proven to be impressive, recording a game high seven tackle breaks against the Tigers. No other player managed more than five in that contest.

The gun fullback also scored, slicing through the line to add another dimension to the Rabbitohs’ right edge attack, their ‘less-recognised’ side of the field when you consider their left edge.

Gray also tallied a try assist in a mammoth performance.

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WHERE BENJI COULD TURN TO IN TIGERS’ HALVES CRISIS

The Tigers are in the midst of a halves crisis at the moment after Jarome Luai (leg) and Adam Doueihi (hamstring) departed the field on Saturday evening against the Rabbitohs.

After a strong start to their season which saw them dominate the Cowboys in Round 2 before narrowly nearly making it back-to-back victories, the club’s depth will now be pushed to its limits against the first-place Warriors.

According to the most recent reports, Luai is set to miss at least four weeks while the recently re-signed Doueihi underwent scans on the weekend but his diagnosis is not yet known. He is, however, set to spend at least one week on the sidelines.

“It doesn’t look good. He’s (Luai) got to get scans obviously, but medical staff said he’ll be out for a little bit, maybe four (weeks),” Tigers coach Benji Marshall said.

“I don’t know. Not a doctor, but I’m not sure.”

The absence of the duo opens the door for recruit Jock Madden, who is coming off a stellar pre-season and did well at the Broncos when they lost Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds at times due to injury.

Meanwhile, rising youngster Latu Fainu is racing the clock to be available but may miss selection.

Fainu is currently on the mend from a shoulder reconstruction and hasn’t played a single match last season – but has spent the past few weeks training with the rest of the squad.

“We will just make sure his ready before we make that decision,” Marshall said on Fainu.

“He’s been training full contract with the boys recently, so there’s a fair bit of planning which goes into our work of when they come back.

“One thing I know about our staff is we won’t put him back in unless he’s ready, and if that means coming back through cup then it is, if it’s with us then we will make the right decision for him.”

If the Tigers decide to hold Fainu back, the man likely to come into contention is Under-19s Queensland representative Javon Andrews who is continuing to develop in reserve grade.

Named ‘Player of the Match’ in last year’s Under-19s Origin clash, Andrews has plenty of potential but has yet to be tested at the NRL level, especially when it comes to defence.

No matter what decision is made, the rest of the squad will need to stand up and deliver which will ease pressure off the two playmakers in Round 4.