Round 3 of the 2025 NRL season continues on Sunday afternoon at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta when the Eels host the Canterbury Bulldogs, where the Eels are coming off a couple of horror performances to start the year, while the Bulldogs are 2-0 to begin 2025 but have key players out. We bring you our full preview and tips for the game below!
Also, don’t forget to head to our NRL tips page for more previews, analysis and betting tips for every NRL match of every round!
Parramatta Eels vs Canterbury Bulldogs
Location: CommBank Stadium – Sydney
Date: Sunday 23rd March
Time: 4:05pm (AEDT)
Odds: Eels $3.10 vs Bulldogs $1.37
Line: Bulldogs -10.5
Points: 46.5 points
Odds and lines provided with thanks to Ladbrokes. Note that odds and lines can fluctuate throughout the week and are correct at the time of writing.
Match Preview
Gee Parramatta were horrendous last weekend against the Tigers. The first half hour of that game was as bad as I've seen, from both times, but once the Tigers clicked into gear, it was game over and the Eels looked like a country football team. Ronald Volkman has been given the flick at halfback and former bunny Dean Hawkins takes over. I will say that is a big tick for mine because Dylan Brown, quite clearly, has shown he can't steer a team around, and that he needs a half to steer the ship. Dean Hawkins showed last year for Souths that he can steer a team around and control things, and Josh Addo-Carr is free to play. He is listed as a reserve, but you'd have to think he'll come into the team, especially facing his former side. I think they are great value.
It's been hard not to be impressed by the Canterbury Bulldogs. 2/2 to start 2025 and they have just gone about their business nicely. Too good for the Dragons in the opening round but they were impressive last week at Belmore when dismantling the Gold Coast Titans, having the game pretty much wrapped up at half time. The win did come at a cost though with Matt Burton and Billy KIkau suffering serious knee injuries and will be out for an extended period. That is a lot of strike power that is missing for the Doggies so they are going to be vulnerable, especially in attack, where a lot of the responsibility will be with Toby Sexton.
I do think the value clearly lies with Parramatta. They have been horrendous to start 2025 but I love the inclusion of Dean Hawkins and I will assume that coach Jason Ryles will put in Josh Addo Carr to make his debut for the club against his former side. They get better whereas Canterbury get far worse. Yes, the Eels were terrible last week when I was keen on them to cause the upset, but I do think their side this week is far more balanced.
Eels to Win
$3.10 (1 Unit)
Same Game Multi
Throughout the 2025 NRL season we’ll be putting together a fun same game multi for every match at BoomBet using their BetShare feature.
To follow our multi, just click on the BoomBet BetShare button below and our same game multi selections will be added straight into your bet slip on BoomBet. You can then enter how much you wish to wager, and with a single click, your bet has been placed!
Eels to Win: As stated above, I do like the Eels and think they can cause the upset. $3+ for them is great value.
Zac Lomax 1+ Tries: In an awful performance last week, I thought Lomax was one of the only players who could hold their head high. He busted his backside and will be a key target for attacking raids.
SGM Odds: $5.75 at BoomBet
