Sunday session: Eels v Dragons; Cowboys v Titans

The Blue and Gold Army will be out in force for Parra's first home game of 2026 as they welcome the passionate Red V faithful to CommBank Stadium.

Confidence is high in the Eels camp after disposing of the premiers in Round 2 while the Dragons were left to rue a late fadeout against the Storm.

The final chapter in Round 3 will be written in Townsville when either the Cowboys or Titans will get off the mark in 2026 and the loser will be consigned to 0-3 and a whole heap of soul searching.

Follow all the action from Round 3 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com's live blog.

Eels v Dragons at CommBank Stadium

28 min: Just 10 minutes after coming onto the field in his return from suspension J'Maine Hopgood is dragged down from behind by Ryan Couchman who is placed on report and sent to the sin bin for a hip-drop tackle.

27 min: Clint Gutherson puts Val Holmes into space but the centre's pass to Dan Atkinson is ruled to have gone forward.

24 min: Damien Cook scoots out of dummy half and picks up Dan Atkinson who delivers a short ball to a rampaging Jaydn Su'A who surges past Jonah Pezet to score. Val Holmes converts. Dragons 14-6.

18 min: Jonah Pezet launches a bomb, Clint Gutherson lets it bounce and it finishes up with Kelma Tuilagi who decides to kick but his banana kick is a shocker and is easily cleaned up by the Dragons.

13 min: Kyle Flanagan drifts across field from 10 metres out and turns Luciano Leilua underneath him with the back-rower surging through the middle of the ruck to score under the sticks. Val Holmes converts. Dragons 8-6.

11 min: A huge moment in the match with the Eels awarded a penalty try to Jonah Pezet after Jaydn Su'A dragged him back as he loomed in support of Kitione Kautoga. The bunker ruled that Pezet would have scored had he not been dragged back despite the fact Clint Gutherson was in close proximity to make the tackle. Eels 6-2.

9 min: Luciano Leilua tries to push a pass in traffic but comes up with an error 10 metres inside the Eels half.

7 min: Kyle Flanagan runs the ball on the last and is dragged down just a metre short by Junior Paulo and Ryley Smith.

6 min: Another Dragons high ball, another escort penalty, this time by Kitione Kautoga on Val Holmes. The Dragons elect to tap and go for a try.

3 min: An early penalty against Ryley Smith for an escort as the Dragons went to the air. Val Holmes makes no mistake with the shot. Dragons 2-0.

Late Mail

Eels: Dylan Walker starts at lock, Jack Williams goes to prop and J'maine Hopgood slides to the bench in a late switch 90 minutes before kick-off. Jack de Belin dropped out of the squad on Saturday and was replaced by Charlie Guymer. 

Dragons: Blake Lawrie starts and Hamish Stewart goes to the bench in a game day swap. Jacob Liddle is on track to make his return from a hamstring injury and will form a one-two punch with starting hooker Damien Cook. 

Numbers Game

• The Eels have won their last four games against the Dragons at CommBank Stadium.
• The Dragons have lost their last eight away games.
• Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored eight tries in his last four games at CommBank Stadium.
• Dragons fullback Clint Gutherson has scored try doubles in his last three games at CommBank.
• The Eels have scored 115 points in their last three games at CommBank.

Cowboys v Titans at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Numbers Game

• The Cowboys scored 80 points in two wins against the Titans in 2025.
• The Titans have won only once in seven attempts at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
• Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored a try in his last three games against the Titans.
• Titans lock Chris Randall will make his 100th NRL appearance.
• Cowboys centre Jaxon Purdue has scored five tries in his last six NRL appearances.