NRL 2025 Finals Week 2
The Raiders will be looking to bounce back after a difficult loss to the Broncos last time out, after believing they had sealed the game not once, but twice. This time out, they come up against the Sharks, who were able to get the job done against the Roosters in their Elimination Final, 20-10. I would expect the Raiders to name an unchanged side for this clash, and while they may be licking their wounds for a while, I don’t think they’ll let this game slip.
They were up by 16 points with 14 minutes to go, and you just know that Stuart would have given them a talking to about how they let a big lead slip yet again. The Sharks could also name an unchanged side. These two teams faced off against each other in Round 5, and it was the Raiders that got the narrow 24-20 win. This one could be close (the Raiders seem to like it that way), but in the end, the Raiders seem like the more complete team and should progress to the next round.
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Savelio Tamale, Matt Timoko, Sebastian Kris, Jed Stuart, Ethan Strange, Jamal Fogarty, Josh Papalii, Tom Starling, Joe Tapine, Hudson Young, Zac Hosking, Corey Horsburgh, Owen Pattie, Simi Sasagi, Morgan Smithies & Ata Mariota
Cronulla Sharks - William Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, KL Iro, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Toby Rudolf, Billy Burns, Teig Wilton, Jesse Colquhoun, Oregon Kaufusi, Siosifa Talakai & Briton Nikora
The Bulldogs couldn’t get the job done over the Storm in Melbourne last time out, and things go from bad to worse here. Not just because they have to play the Panthers, but because of their injury woes as well. Stephen Crichton, the Bulldogs captain, looks set to miss the rest of the finals series, while Enari Tuala broke his leg, and Viliame Kikau is also in doubt. Bronson Xerri looks set to return after missing the first week of the finals, though.
For the Panthers, there won’t be a lot of changes to their side. They proved way too good for the Warriors last time out in New Zealand, winning 24-8. Now they are back in Sydney, while this is a Bulldogs home game, you would imagine a lot of Panthers fans will also show up. These two teams have played each other twice so far this season, with the Panthers winning 8-6 in Round 17, and the Bulldogs winning 28-4 in Round 26 (when the Panthers rested many players).
Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Jethro Rinakama, Bronson Xerri, Jacob Kiraz, Blake Wilson, Matt Burton, Lachlan Galvin, Max King, Bailey Hayward, Josh Curran, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Jaeman Salmon, Kurt Mann, Sitili Tupouniua, Harry Hayes & Reed Mahoney
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Paul Alamoti, 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
It all comes down to this: the Storm up against the Broncos. Who will etch their names in history as the 2025 Premiers, and who will come agonisingly short? We have put together our best NRL predictions and tips for the most important game of the year. See all the details here.
Just four teams remain: the Storm, Sharks, Broncos and Panthers. Who will make their way to the biggest game of the year, the Grand Final? We have put together our best NRL predictions and tips for every game just for you. See all the details here.
After 27 long rounds, it is finally time for the finals. We have put together our best NRL predictions and tips for every game in Finals Week 1 just for you. See our best NRL tips for Finals Week 1 right here.
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.
