NRL round 3 LIVE: Roosters name star-studded spine against Panthers in ominous form

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The Roosters get a six again after points but they can’t make the most of it. Lindsay Collins with an error in the ruck on halfway. Panthers on the attack. Nathan Cleary almost steps his way through.

Good early signs from kick. Until he tries a short kick. Way too short. Roosters come up with that ball and survive their first examination.

Roosters 4 Panthers 0

Roosters on the attack with an early six again pressing Penrith’s line. Some stout goal line defence before a repeat set is forced. Cleary’s short drop-out is a cracker and the Panthers almost regain possession. Roosters scramble to deny them.

Rob Toia almost crashed over during the set earlier. This time when the Roosters swing right, he scythes straight through. He beats Casey McLean all ends up with an in and away, skips past him for the first try.

Roosters 4 Panthers 0

Teams are on the paddock, fans are in the stands (it’s ok for a 6pm game, but you do wonder why this match was given the graveyard slot as far as attendances go) and we’ve got a kick-off.

Roosters take the ball. Can confirm, Penrith have been acknowledged on the scoreboard too. No ‘visiting team’ malarkey here.

Good yardage in the Roosters set before a bomb down to Tom Jenkins. Big shot by Lindsay Collins on Isaiah Papalii.

Roosters 0 Panthers 0

Roosters back Mark Nawaqanitawase has been working with Sydney Swans premiership hero Nick Davis on new ways to get to the high ball, especially if opposition NRL teams continue to run him off the ball as they have over the opening two rounds.

One of the great sights in rugby league is Sydney Roosters’ right-winger Nawaqanitawase – along with teammate Daniel Tupou, Melbourne’s Xavier Coates, and others – sailing high over the top of rivals to catch high kicks and score.

Nawaqanitawase, however, is yet to receive an escort penalty this year, despite running into what appeared to be interference on at least three separate occasions.

Both sides are 1-17, 19 whatever you want to say, as they were named earlier in the week. The Roosters new star-studded spine plays their first game together as Reece Robson returns early from a broken thumb. And Liam Martin is back from a calf issue that’s kept him out of the opening two rounds.

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Fetalaiga Pauga 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Egan Butcher 14. Connor Watson 15. Blake Steep 16. Nat Butcher 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Cody Ramsey 20. Toby Rodwell

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Paul Alamoti 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Billy Phillips 16. Scott Sorensen 17. Luke Garner 18. Izack Tago 21. Jack Cole

Evening sports fans,

Don’t look now, but it’s rugby league time. Proper rugby league time too, with one of the best Friday night double-headers the great game has to offer.

The Roosters host Penrith first up at 6pm AEDT, with the visitors in ominous form and for once, chasing a premiership rather than defending it. Then it’s done to Melbourne where the actual title-holders Brisbane have started their campaign in miserable fashion and are trying to turn it around against the Storm side they vanquished last October.

Quite frankly, if you’re not enticed by this, go watch the AFL. I’ll be on the early game, Dom Brock will keep things civilised after 8pm and we’ll have teams, news and gibber throughout.

Let’s go.