NRL 2025 Round 17
The undermanned and underestimated Panthers got the job done last time out in New Zealand. They were without all their Origin stars, but they all could return for this game (Cleary is in doubt due to injury). It looks like the Panthers have got into their groove now and they are finally back in the top eight. This will be a major test for them as they face off against the league-leading Bulldogs. The result of this one will shed some light on how good the Panthers actually are.
The Bulldogs are fresh off a bye and will welcome back their captain, Stephen Crichton after he missed their previous game due to Origin duties (plus other Origin players returning). In their last game, they just held off a fast-finishing Rabbitohs team that scored two tries in the final 10 minutes. The Panthers are on a three-game winning streak and the Bulldogs have won four of their last five.
Penrith Panthers - Dylan Edwards, Thomas Jenkins, Izack Tago, Casey McLean, Brian To'o, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Isaiah Papalii, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Trent Toelau, Liam Henry, Luron Patea & Luke Garner
Canterbury Bulldogs - Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz, Bronson Xerri, Stephen Crichton, Marcelo Montoya, Matt Burton, Lachlan Galvin, Max King, Reed Mahoney, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston, Kurt Mann, Toby Sexton, Bailey Hayward, Josh Curran & Harry Hayes
Two teams outside of the top eight will fight it out as the first Friday game this round. Both teams have been on a bit of a slide as of late, with the Sea Eagles losing three of their last five and the Tigers nursing a five-game losing streak. The Sea Eagles may have the better recent record, but it is the Tigers who have been playing better in my opinion. Are they playing enough better to defeat the Sea Eagles at home?
Anthony Seibold looks set to move Tom Trbojevic into the centres, so there’s another question mark around that. Most notably, Haumole Olakau’atu is out due to a shoulder injury. The Tigers haven’t had much success here at 4 Pines Park either, winning just 18% of their games. With two teams that are desperate for a win, I think it will be the Sea Eagles, in front of their home crowd, that just edge out the Tigers.
Manly Sea Eagles - Lehi Hopoate, Reuben Garrick, Tom Trbojevic, Tolu Koula, Tommy Talau, Luke Brooks, Daly Cherry-Evans, Ethan Bullemor, Jazz Tevaga, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Corey Waddell, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Jake Simpkin, Nathan Brown, Tof Sipley & Caleb Navale
Wests Tigers - Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Adam Doueihi, Starford To'a, Jeral Skelton, Latu Fainu, Jarome Luai, Terrell May, Api Koroisau, Fonua Pole, Samuela Fainu, Alex Seyfarth, Alex Twal, Heath Mason, Sione Fainu, Jack Bird & Tony Sukkar
It hasn’t been good reading this week for the Knights fans in terms of Fletcher Sharpe, who suffered a lacerated kidney in their victory last time out over the Dolphins. Newly returned Knights player, Dom Young, had a great game in that 26-20 win. Tyson Gamble could return to the Knights after playing in the NSW Cup last week when returning from injury. Jacob Saifiti could also return from a calf issue as well.
On the Raiders side of things, it looks like Ricky Stuart will name an unchanged team from their 16-12 victory over the Tigers last time out. The Raiders’ defence in that game was great, turning the Tigers away multiple times. We all know how inconsistent the Knights have been and even playing at home, it is difficult to back them against this Raiders setup that is very settled and knows how to pump out win after win.
Newcastle Knights - Kalyn Ponga, Dom Young, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Tyson Gamble, Jack Cogger, Tyson Frizell, Jayden Brailey, Jacob Saifiti, Dylan Lucas, Kai Pearce-Paul, Phoenix Crossland, Brodie Jones, Mat Croker, Thomas Cant & Jermaine McEwen
Canberra Raiders - Kaeo Weekes, Jed Stuart, Matthew Timoko, Seb Kris, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange, Jamal Fogarty, Josh Papalii, Tom Starling, Joe Tapine, Hudson Young, Zac Hosking, Corey Horsburgh, Owen Pattie, Simi Sasagi, Morgan Smithies & Ata Mariota
Are the Broncos back to their winning wins, or is this just a flash in the pan? We’ll know after this game as they face a difficult test in the Warriors. They get to play at home though, but we all know that the Warriors’ fans are spread far and wide. They will be out in numbers for this game, so the home crowd may not benefit the Broncos as much as you might think. The two teams have already played this year with the Warriors winning in Round 7, 20-18.
Everyone underestimated the Panthers last time out, even the Warriors and it was to their detriment as they ended up going down 18-28 at home. The Broncos look set to welcome Ben Hunt back from injury. There looks to be a few changes on the Warriors side of things, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Marata Niukore out and Rocco Berry and Kurt Capewell back. The Broncos are favourites, but I think the Warriors will give them a run for their money.
Brisbane Broncos - Reece Walsh, Josiah Karapani, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Jesse Arthars, Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Corey Jensen, Cory Paix, Payne Haas, Brendan Piakura, Jordan Riki, Patrick Carrigan, Ben Hunt, Kobe Hetherington, Xavier Willison & Jack Gosiewski
New Zealand Warriors - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Edward Kosi, Adam Pompey, Rocco Berry, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Luke Metcalf, James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Leka Halasima, Kurt Capewell, Erin Clark, Te Maire Martin, Jacob Laban, Demitric Vaimauga & Tanner Stowers-Smith
The Dragons and Eels do battle for the second time this year and if their Round 5 game was anything to go by, we are set for another close one. In Round 5, the Eels just edged out the Dragons, 23-22, in golden point, thanks to the boot of Zac Lomax. The two teams swapped a few players during the offseason (Zac Lomax from the Dragons to the Eels and Clint Gutherson from the Eels to the Dragons), so it’s always interesting to see how this plays out.
Valentine Holmes is set to return after fulfilling his Origin duties and Jaydn Su'A could return to the fold after injury. Dylan Brown is back from suspension for the Eels, but the likes of Will Penisini and Ryley Smith could be facing suspensions from their last game. Also, Mitch Moses’ stint on the sidelines continues for at least another couple of weeks. With some key players out for the Eels and the Dragons playing at home, I’m siding with the Dragons.
St. George Illawarra Dragons - Clint Gutherson, Nathan Lawson, Moses Suli, Valentine Holmes, Corey Allan, Lyhkan King-Togia, Kyle Flanagan, Emre Guler, Damien Cook, David Klemmer, Toby Couchman, Jaydn Su'A, Jack de Belin, Jacob Liddle, Hamish Stewart, Loko Pasifiki Tonga & Luciano Leilua
Parramatta Eels - Isaiah Iongi, Zac Lomax, Jordan Samrani, Sean Russell, Josh Addo-Carr, Dylan Brown, Dean Hawkins, Jack Williams, Joey Lussick, Junior Paulo, Kelma Tuilagi, Kitione Kautoga, J'maine Hopgood, Dylan Walker, Matt Doorey, Charlie Guymer & Joash Papalii
The Dolphins had their three-game winning streak snapped last time out, thanks to the Knights. Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs, who are sitting near the bottom of the ladder, are looking to stop a four-game slide, losing to the Storm, Bulldogs, Raiders and Warriors. Yes, you read that right, the Rabbitohs have had a very difficult month or so, playing the top four teams in the league consecutively!
The Dolphins have been fairly good at overcoming injuries so far this season, and they’ll have some more to overcome. Jack Bostock looks set to join the likes of Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert and Max Plath for the rest of the season on the sidelines. Felise Kaufusi also won’t be returning from suspension for another couple of weeks. For the Rabbitohs, they look set to welcome back Campbell Graham and Cody Walker.
Dolphins - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jake Averillo, Herbie Farnworth, Max Feagai, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Francis Molo, Jeremy Marshall-King, Mark Nicholls, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Oryn Keeley, Kurt Donoghoe, Harrison Graham, Connelly Lemuelu, Ray Stone & Aublix Tawha
South Sydney Rabbitohs - Latrell Mitchell, Alex Johnston, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Tyrone Munro, Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys, Jai Arrow, Siliva Havili, Keaon Koloamatangi, Euan Aitken, Tallis Duncan, Lachlan Hubner, Davvy Moale, Sean Keppie, Liam Le Blanc & Tevita Tatola
For the first of two Sunday games, we head to Melbourne for a clash between the Storm and the Sharks. The two have already faced off this season, with a narrow 31-26 victory going in favour of the Sharks. We all know how difficult it is to go to AAMI Park and beat the Storm, they have a 77% win record at the venue. For the Storm, it looks like Xavier Coates will return to the fold.
The Sharks were looking like they were going to get their second win in a row last time out over the Broncos. Well, that was until they completely capitulated and ended up going down 28-34 and not scoring a try after the 46th minute. Both Oregon Kaufusi and Teig Wilton are seemingly set to miss this clash. The casualty ward is growing for the Sharks with Sam Stonestreet, KL Iro, Mawene Hiroti and Tom Hazelton all on the sidelines.
Melbourne Storm - Ryan Papenhuyzen, Grant Anderson, Jack Howarth, Nick Meaney, Xavier Coates, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes, Stefano Utoikamanu, Harry Grant, Josh King, Shawn Blore, Eli Katoa, Trent Loiero, Tyran Wishart, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Tui Kamikamica & Alec MacDonald
Cronulla Sharks - Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, Sifa Talakai, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes, Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Briton Nikora, Billy Burns, Cameron McInnes, Daniel Atkinson, Jesse Colquhoun, Toby Rudolf & Hohepa Puru
We are treated to a Queensland derby to finish off Round 17. But with the Titans sitting last on the ladder and the Cowboys in 12th, there isn’t exactly a lot to get excited about. A win today for the Cowboys will probably put them in closer touching point for the top eight. Meanwhile, even a convincing Titans win likely won’t move them from the bottom of the ladder.
All eyes will be on the Titans playmaker, Jayden Campbell, who will have to challenge the ruling by the independent doctor for his HIA last game, which was listed as a category one. This effectively rules him out of this game if he isn’t successful. In better news, David Fifita is likely to return. The two teams have played once so far this season, resulting in a massive 50-18 win to the Cowboys. I think this one will be a bit closer, and I’m tipping the upset here.
Gold Coast Titans - AJ Brimson, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Jojo Fifita, Phillip Sami, Allan Fitzgibbon, Kieran Foran, Jayden Campbell, Moeaki Fotuaika, Sam Verrills, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Chris Randall, Beau Fermor, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Jacob Alick-Wiencke, Klese Haas, Jaimin Jolliffe & David Fifita
North Queensland Cowboys - Scott Drinkwater, Braidon Burns, Zac Laybutt, Viliami Vailea, Murray Taulagi, Jaxon Purdue, Tom Dearden, Jordan McLean, Reece Robson, Coen Hess, John Bateman, Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Harrison Edwards, Sam McIntyre, Griffin Neame & Thomas Mikaele
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