After a long hiatus, rugby league returned with a bang and with new rules seemingly increasing the ball-in-play time, there were some monster scores in round three.
Winners
A whopping 20 players scored 70 or better, with hookers, locks and fullbacks dominating the pointy end and a 90-minute draw between Penrith and Newcastle inflating some scores.
Roosters fullback James Tedesco (94) was player of the round after a vintage effort against Souths, Cam McInnes (91) tackled himself to a standstill as the Warriors dominated possession on Saturday, while Panthers pair Isaah Yeo (86) and Api Koroisau (85) are the two highest scoring players through three rounds.
Payne Haas (85) was the best of the likely captaincy options but Damien Cook (78) wasn't far behind and Jason Taumalolo (68) wasn't a disaster.
Get Caught Up: Round 3
Kurt Capewell (75) will be a popular trade-in as a DPP centre this week while Moeaki Fotuaika (75), Cameron Munster, Curtis Sironen, Kodi Nikorima (all 74), Cam Murray, Jake Friend, Tim Glasby (all 73), Tom Trbojevic, Chris Randall (both 72), Daniel Saifiti (71), David Klemmer, Kurt Mann and Clint Gutherson (all 70) round out the 70+ scores.
There were some handy scores from cash cows as well with Warriors pair Eli Katoa (64) and Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (54) making plenty of cash, new Wests Tigers hooker Harry Grant (63) an instant hit and Bradman Best (65) set to be another popular trade-in this week.
Tedesco breaks through
Losers
Grant's effort wasn't great news for Billy Walters (25) owners, although he still has a little cash to make. Gehamat Shibasaki was a game-day omission for Best, which was particularly unlucky for those who bought him in round three. Jarome Luai (32) was quiet considering Nathan Cleary's absence with Matt Burton doing all the kicking.
Jamil Hopoate (30) was a popular purchase and would have scored 50 if not for 20 points in demerits, while teammate Kotoni Staggs (22) had 16 demerits of his own.
Liam Knight (22) has been a complete bust and played just 33 minutes as a starting lock against the Roosters; he is probably a sell this week. Titans-bound Storm youngster Tino Faasuamaleaui (7) is in over 13% of teams and has also been a misfire with just 10 minutes against Canberra.
He's only in 5% of teams but the early head knock that ruled Mitchell Pearce (-1) out against Panthers probably cost a few coaches a head-to-head match-up.
Round 3 team of the week
- James Tedesco (94)
- Tom Trbojevic (72)
- Kurt Capewell (75)
- Bradman Best (65)
- Clint Gutherson (70)
- Cameron Munster (74)
- Kodi Nikorima (74)
- Payne Haas (85)
- Cam McInnes (91)
- Moeaki Fotuaika (75)
- Curtis Sironen (74)
- Cam Murray (73)
- Isaah Yeo (86)
- Api Koroisau (85)
- Damien Cook (78)
- Jake Friend (73)
- Tim Glasby (73)