Here he is again, our resident tipping guru, Tipping Point. If you happen to be stuck, let him guide you in times of trouble. No week is an easy week given the nature of the NRL, but he will do his best to convince you to tip one team over the other.

Season: 12/16 (75%); last week: 6/8

At a glance: Cowboys, Bulldogs, Raiders, Broncos, Tigers, Storm, Rabbitohs, Sea-Eagles

Cowboys v Roosters, 1300SMILES Stadium

The first game of round three is also the easiest to pick: the Cowboys should win this game in style. Coming off a poor performance against the Eels and their first loss of the season, the Cowboys will be desperate to make amends and get back in the winners’ circle. Against a Chooks outfit low on troops and confidence, the Cows should get the job done.

Tip: Cowboys

Bulldogs v Eels, ANZ Stadium

An awkward match to tip between two sides that have been among the most impressive so far in 2016. The Eels will however head to Homebush without Manu Ma’u (suspension) and Nathan Peats (injury), but it’s more positive news for the Dogs with David Klemmer avoiding suspension, and Chase Stanley returning to the centres with round one sharp-shooter Kerrod Holland to make way. The Eels were excellent against the Cowboys last round, but up against their arch-rivals at a ground where they have a shocking record will be a stern test. The Dogs gutsed out a win last week against Penrith and I expect them to get up against the Eels in what ought to be one of the matches of the round.

Tip: Bulldogs

Knights v Raiders, Hunter Stadium

The Green Machine head north to Newcastle hoping to win their third straight game in what could be their best start to a season since 2003. The Knights, fresh off two shellackings at the hands of the Titans and the Bunnies, will just be hoping to earn some respect with an improved performance. Back on home turf for the first time this season I expect the Knights to throw the kitchen sink at the Raiders, and with clear-cut favouritism as a travelling side this looms as a danger game for Canberra. With two strong wins against the Knights last season and given current form I’ll be taking the Raiders, but I’m extremely wary of an upset.

Tip: Raiders

Panthers v Broncos, Pepper Stadium

Penrith’s unlucky run continued last week with a loss after the full-time siren and yet another injury, this time to Dean Whare. The effort is definitely there, but I don’t think they’ll have the points in them to knock over the Broncos, who just keep turning up week after week after week.

Tip: Broncos

Titans v Tigers, Cbus Super Stadium

Yikes, this is another awkward tip. On form, you have to take the Tigers, but away favourites are poison for tipsters. They looked a million bucks against an insipid Sea-Eagles outfit but the Titans, playing behind a big pack, will definitely take some beating. I’m going to stick with the form team and look forward to enjoying another James Tedesco masterclass.

Tip: Tigers

Warriors v Storm, Mt Smart Stadium

This is one of those games where most of the usual indicators point one way, but your gut tells you to go another. With a strong recent record against Melbourne and with their backs well and truly to the wall, there’s a strong case for backing the New Zealand outfit to notch their first victory. As it turns out, the Storm were the last side to lose to the Warriors, and that was back in round 19 of last season (cue the highlight reel of Nathan Friend’s somersault pass). While the Warriors played exceptionally well in patches against the Broncos, I believe the Storm juggernaut will keep rolling on. When I’m really torn about who to pick in a match I ask myself: who’s more likely to lose? In this case, I think it is the Warriors.

Tip: Storm

Dragons v Rabbitohs, SCG

It’s first versus thirteenth between as the Bunnies and Dragons return to the SCG to resume their decades-old rivalry. The Bunnies have been in hot form in 2016, putting the cleaners through the Knights and the Roosters in back-to-back weeks. The Dragons, despite their 0-2 record in 2015, will be a sterner test and with wet conditions forecast this could be an engine room slugfest. With their strong recent record against the Dragons I expect the Bunnies to get the chocolates, but if Josh Dugan takes the field as fullback then it’ll be a closer contest than the betting suggests.

Tip: Rabbitohs

Sea-Eagles v Sharks, Brookvale Oval

Round three concludes with a Monday night clash between two noted rivals who have enjoyed contrasting fortunes so far in 2016. Manly have been poor in their two matches to date, and it seems like a long time ago when they were being talked about as premiership contenders. The Sharks meanwhile have been solid across their two games, which included a narrow away loss to the reigning premiers and a 30-2 drubbing of the Dragons. While the Sharks have the better form, I’m going to take the Sea-Eagles in this clash. With Brett Stewart expected to return coupled with Cronulla’s poor record at Brookvale and in Monday night fixtures, I think the Silvertails can come out fighting and jag the two points.

Tip: Sea-Eagles

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