The highs and lows from Round 3 of the 2023 NRL NT season

From a new team in top spot to the reigning premiers notching up their first win there was plenty to enjoy from the latest round of the NRL NT. Check out all the talking points from Round 3.

There were plenty of surprises in the third round of the 2023 NRL NT season including a new team taking top spot.

In the men’s competition Brothers, Palmerston and Litchfield emerged the winners, while in the women’s side of the draw it was Litchfield and Brothers who came out on top.

And there were plenty of talking points to come from each match.

Palmerston’s injury woes

Blake Fletcher has had a strong start to the 2023 NRL NT season. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Three rounds in and the reigning premiers have their first win of the 2023 season, but injury woes will continue to be a concern for the side in coming rounds.

Captain Ed Murphy has been missing so far and the absence of a former Frank Johnson medallist will always be felt.

Abel Shirley was the player of the match in the Raiders’ Round 3 win over Nightcliff looking almost untouchable whenever he turned his sights on the tryline.

But he too will be a concern after he was carried off with a knee injury 20 minutes before full time.

It’s another casualty for a side which has had to build new connections this season, as they look to replicate their 2022 result.

However, Matthew Johnson, playing his first game of the season, Jacob Rainger and Chuck Norris were all at their dynamic best against Nightcliff.

And Blake Fletcher with game time in his legs is always a positive.

They still have plenty of building to do as an effectively new outfit, but with finals more than likely they have plenty of time to get combinations right.

Litchfield top of the table

Dillan Vanderburg has been a massive assest for Litchfield Bears. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Litchfield Bears are on top following a massive comeback win against benchmark side Northern Sharks.

The latest victory makes the Bears three from three, with a close-cut win over Brothers in Round 1 and a dominant showing against South Darwin also behind them.

But Sharks were always going to be the true challenge for this Litchfield side and the match lived up to the top of the table billing it had received.

Scores were level at 6-all for the majority of the match, but Sharks pulled away late to post a 14-6 lead with time running out.

But Litchfield, in front of their home crowd for the first time in 2023, rallied late scoring two tries to secure a 16-14 win at Webber Park.

Tevita Koloamatangi, Dillan Vanderburg and Lachlan Jensen were among the Bears’ try scorers, with Nathan Dixon converting twice to take the win.

It’s a testament to the past few years of rebuilding that the Bears are now at the top and remain the only undefeated side after three rounds.

But there’s a long season ahead, and with their foes all likely to grow stronger there’s a lot Litchfield need to do to stay on top.

Brothers chugging along in both divisions as Niki’s stand out

Ellie Niki has been a consistent standout for the Darwin Brothers women. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

The Darwin Brothers men and women are in fine form across both the men’s and women’s divisions.

The only blight on the men’s record so far is a second half fade against Litchfield in the opening round, an issue they could put down to fatigue more than anything else.

Other than that they beat Palmerston away at Goodline Park (24-20) and crushed South Darwin (62-0) in Round 3.

Both wins were statements of intent from the Leon Cleal coached side which has this year found a solid mix of experienced heads and creative youngsters.

Caleb Niki has again been a clear standout for the side whether it’s with his leg drive going forward, last gasp tackles or kicking from the tee.

Meanwhile, the Brothers women have been as dominant as ever beating all-comers in their opening three games as they hunt down back-to-back premierships.

Much like her brother in the men’s it’s Ellie Niki who has stood out best in the women’s side with her massive carries and hard tackles.

If both Nikis maintain their form we could be in for a big season from the Brethren.

Nightcliff women on the brink

Brittany Kassman played for the Nightcliff Dragons in the 2021 season. Picture: Glenn Campbell

We’re three rounds into the NRL NT competition and the Nightcliff Dragons women outfit have yet to take the field.

They were forfeited against in Round 1, but in a strange twist they were the side to forfeit the following two weeks.

It means, if the rule still applies, that if Nightcliff forfeit their Round 4 match against the Northern Sharks they will be booted from the competition.

The South Darwin women were in the same situation in 2021 and after three forfeits were no longer able to contest the competition in that season.

The Rabbitohs did not return to the women’s competition until Round 2 of the 2023 tournament, after forfeiting their Round 1 match.

It will be a blow if Nightcliff are forced to leave because of lacking player numbers, particularly as they’ve historically been a powerhouse of the women’s competition.

Originally published as The highs and lows from Round 3 of the 2023 NRL NT season