Sea Eagles Set To Face Raiders Without Trbojevic In Round 3 Clash

The Sea Eagles are gearing up to face the Canberra Raiders at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale, this Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 6:15 PM AEDT. As Round 3 of the NRL unfolds, the Sea Eagles will unfortunately be without their star fullback, Tom Trbojevic, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The absence of Trbojevic is significant, as the Sea Eagles have a dismal record without him; they have won only 7 of their last 26 games since he joined the team in 2015. This statistic paints a stark picture of how crucial Trbojevic has been to their success. Can the Sea Eagles find a way to clinch a victory against a Raiders side that has surprisingly started the season well?

The Raiders come into this match with an impressive 2-0 record, having achieved victories over both the Warriors and Broncos, scoring over 30 points in each game. With halfback Jamal Fogarty back from injury, the Raiders are looking stronger than ever and are considered one of the NRL's most exciting teams this season.

Last season, these two teams faced each other twice, with a thrilling round 9 clash where the Raiders managed to pull off a stunning comeback. They overcame a 24-6 deficit with just 27 minutes to play, eventually stealing the game 26-24. In contrast, when the Sea Eagles hosted the Raiders again in round 23, they dominated and secured a solid 46-24 win at GIO Stadium.

Currently, the betting odds reflect the uncertainty surrounding Trbojevic's absence. Initially, the Sea Eagles were favored by 10.5 points, but that spread shifted as the Raiders' early-season performances drew attention. Following the announcement of Trbojevic's absence, the odds settled down to a mere 2.5-point favorite for the Sea Eagles, underscoring the significant impact that the fullback's availability holds.

As the Sea Eagles look to find a way to recover from the disappointment of losing their key player, they will heavily rely on the likes of Jason Saab. The winger has been vocal in his ambition and driven on the field, already notching two tries and a remarkable nine line-breaks in the first two rounds. Saab’s performance could be vital if the Sea Eagles hope to take down the Raiders this time around.

Meanwhile, Hudson Young is expected to rise to the occasion for the Raiders as a key try-scorer. Young has yet to cross the white line this season, but offensive momentum is high, and opportunities are sure to arise against defending champions who struggle without their star player.

Despite the downward swing in the odds for the Sea Eagles, analysts are still aware of their potential to threaten the Raiders’ undefeated streak. As both teams gear up for a thrilling matchup at Brookvale, anticipation is mounting among fans and bettors alike. This matchup promises to be a display of resilience, skill, and a quest for early-season supremacy.

With the total points set at 49.5, it’s worth considering the implications of Trbojevic’s absence, which could limit the Sea Eagles offense while still allowing for a potent attack from the Raiders. This matchup will surely provide drama irrespective of the outcome.

The stakes are high as the Sea Eagles and Raiders clash on Sunday evening. Will the Sea Eagles overcome the odds and hit back triumphantly despite losing their star player, or will the Raiders extend their unbeaten streak to three? One thing's for sure: fans won’t want to miss this electrifying encounter.

As you prepare to tune in, remember key betting insights from experts: Raiders (+1.5) looks appealing, along with suggestions for Jason Saab and Hudson Young to get on the score sheet. The Same Game Multi is pegged at a lucrative $7.50 on BoomBet. With all eyes on Brookvale, it’s time to see how this intense rivalry unfolds.