NRL 2025 Finals Week 1
To kick off the finals in 2025, we see the Storm welcome the Bulldogs to AAMI Park. The last two weeks haven’t exactly been easy watches for the Storm fans, and now they will be without Jahrome Hughes, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona for this clash. In a key inclusion, Harry Grant will be back for this game. The Bulldogs have a few injury woes of their own, with Bronson Xerri and Marcelo Montoya both out. However, Jacob Kiraz could return for this one.
The Bulldogs don’t exactly come into this one in a lot of form, winning two of their last five (and one of those wins was against a severely undermanned Panthers side). They were put to the sword by the Sharks last time out, and all throughout the season, they have struggled to beat quality teams. The Storm and Bulldogs played each other in Round 25, and the Storm won, 20-14. Playing at home, I have to give the edge to the Storm.
Melbourne Storm - Nick Meaney, Will Warbrick, Jack Howarth, Grant Anderson, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Jonah Pezet, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant, Josh King, Ativalu Lisati, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero, Tyran Wishart, Alec MacDonald, Tui Kamakimica & Joe Chan
Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Enari Tuala, Jacob Kiraz, Stephen Crichton, Jethro Rinakama, Matt Burton, Lachlan Galvin, Max King, Bailey Hayward, Samuel Hughes, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Sitili Tupouniua, Josh Curran & Reed Mahoney
In the first elimination final, we see the Warriors welcome the Panthers to Go Media Stadium. I understand the Panthers know how to win in these types of pressure situations, and the Warriors' recent form hasn’t exactly been crash-hot, but there is still a bit of value around the Warriors. The Panthers are the clear favourites, and while I think they will likely win, the Warriors should be good enough to keep this one close.
Rocco Berry will be out once again for the Warriors after dislocating his shoulder in their match against the Sea Eagles. Jackson Ford and Wayde Egan are available for the Warriors in this game. No injury concerns for the Panthers, and they look to be in full force for this clash. The team played each other back in Round 16, where the Panthers got a 10-point victory. I think this one will be closer than many expect.
New Zealand Warriors - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey, Kurt Capewell, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Tanah Boyd, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Leka Halasima, Marata Niukore, Erin Clark, Te Maire Martin, Jackson Ford, Demitric Vaimauga & Jacob Laban
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Thomas Jenkins, Izack Tago, Casey McLean, Brian To'o, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Scott Sorensen, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Brad Schneider, Liam Henry, Isaiah Papali'i & Luke Garner
The Roosters claimed the final spot in the top eight and will meet the Sharks at Sharks Stadium in the second elimination final. Both teams come into this clash in some good form. The Sharks have won four of their last five, and their last three in a row over the Titans, Knights and Bulldogs. The Roosters have also won four of their last five, with back-to-back wins over the Storm and Rabbitohs to finish off the regular season.
The Sharks and Roosters have already played each other twice so far this year, with the record sitting at 1-1. The Roosters claimed victory 42-16 in Round 12, while the Sharks managed to get the win in Round 20, 31-18. Not a whole lot of injury or suspension concerns for either team, which is excellent to see. This one shapes up as an exciting clash, and I think a lot of points will be scored, especially on what looks to be a good day weather-wise.
| Bookmaker | Katherine’s Tip | Odds |
 | Total points - Over 46.5 | $1.88 |
 | Total points - Over 46.5 | $1.96 |
 | Total points - Over 46.5 | $1.91 |
Cronulla Sharks - William Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, KL Iro, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Toby Rudolf, Briton Nikora, Teig Wilton, Jesse Colquhoun, Siosifa Talakai, Thomas Hazelton, Braden Hamlin-Uele & Oregon Kaufusi
Sydney Roosters - James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Hugo Savala, Sam Walker, Spencer Leniu, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, Victor Radley, Naufahu Whyte, Benaiah Ioelu, Egan Butcher, Blake Steep & Siua Wong
Rounding out Finals Week 1 are the Raiders and Broncos, in the second qualifying final at GIO Stadium. The Raiders rested a lot of their regular starters last time out against the Dolphins, and they got flogged, with the Dolphins putting 62 points on the Raiders (to their 24). All their big stars will return for this game with fresh legs, in front of their passionate home crowd. Before that loss to the Dolphins, the Raiders had won three in a row.
The Broncos rounded out the regular season with four straight wins, which helped them claim a top-four spot. Most notably (and recently), the Broncos were able to dismantle the Storm, 30-14. The two teams haven’t played each other since Round 2, and that win went the way of the Raiders, 32-22. There will be a lot of star power on the field in this game, but at GIO Stadium, I have to give the edge to the Raiders.
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Savelio Tamale, Matt Timoko, Sebastian Kris, Jed Stuart, Ethan Strange, Jamal Fogarty, Corey Horsburgh, Tom Starling, Joe Tapine, Hudson Young, Zac Hosking, Morgan Smithies, Owen Pattie, Ata Mariota, Simi Sasagi & Matty Nicholson
Brisbane Broncos - Reece Walsh, Josiah Karapani, Kotoni Staggs, Deine Mariner, Jesse Arthars, Billy Walters, Ben Hunt, Corey Jensen, Cory Paix, Payne Haas, Brendan Piakura, Jordan Riki, Patrick Carrigan, Tyson Smoothy, Kobe Hetherington, Ben Talty & Jaiyden Hunt
The NRL returns for Round 27! We have put together our best NRL predictions and tips for every game in Round 27 just for you. See our best NRL tips for Round 27 right here.
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