Matchday Details
Sunday 28th September – 4:05pm (AEST) – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Grant Atkins | Bunker: Chris Butler
Broncos
1. Reece Walsh, 2. Josiah Karapani, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Deine Mariner, 6. Ben Hunt, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Corey Jensen, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Brendan Piakura, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Tyson Smoothy, 14. Ezra Mam, 15. Kobe Hetherington, 16. Xavier Willison, 17. Ben Talty, 18. Jesse Arthars, 19. Jack Gosiewski, 20. Selwyn Cobbo, 21. Jaiyden Hunt, 22. Jock Madden
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Paul Alamoti, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Blaize Talagi, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Mitch Kenny, 10. Lindsay Smith, 11. Scott Sorensen, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo, 14. Brad Schneider, 15. Liam Henry, 16. Isaiah Papali’i, 17. Luke Garner, 18. Daine Laurie, 19. Matt Eisenhuth, 20. Tom Jenkins, 21. Mavrik Geyer, 22. Luke Sommerton
Match Preview
This Sunday, the Panthers seek a historic sixth straight grand final appearance when they travel to Brisbane to take on the Broncos. The home side is chasing its second grand final in three seasons and an opportunity to atone for 2023 by knocking out the reigning premiers.
The Broncos, who earned a week off after a hard-fought Qualifying Final against the Raiders, welcome back their leader Adam Reynolds in a huge boost to their chances. Ezra Mam also returns and will start from the bench, another significant addition. Selwyn Cobbo’s name appears on the reserves list and he may yet be included closer to game day.
The Panthers have little to report, naming the same 1-17 that comfortably dispatched the Bulldogs last week.
The narratives for both teams make for compelling viewing. The Broncos famously lost the 2023 Grand Final to the Panthers after all but sealing victory, only for Nathan Cleary to steal it at the death. Meanwhile, the Panthers, who sat last at one stage this season, are not only looking to make history with another grand final appearance, but are aiming to become the first team to win one from outside the top four since Canterbury in 1995.
The inclusion of Reynolds and Mam cannot be understated for Brisbane. Reynolds has been hampered by injury throughout his time at the club, but there is no better moment to return fresh and fit. His leadership will be invaluable in front of a capacity crowd. Ben Hunt sealed the win against the Raiders and, 10 years after his role in the Broncos’ 2015 capitulation against the Cowboys, it feels as though destiny may be writing the final chapter of his career. The way Mam is used off the bench will be fascinating: Hunt may shift to hooker, allowing Mam to inject speed into the five-eighth role once the game slows. Either way, it gives Michael Maguire potent attacking options.
There is little left to say about the Panthers that hasn’t already been said. They have come back from the dead, at one stage considered a wooden spoon contender. The squad’s talent was always too strong to sink that low, and the belief remained that if they could simply reach the finals, regardless of position, their big-game experience would carry them. Nathan Cleary continues to build on his legacy as one of the greatest players the game has seen. Brian To’o and Paul Alamoti were dominant last week and will test Brisbane’s edges all afternoon. If Penrith come out with the same intensity as they did against the Bulldogs, it could be a long day for the Broncos.
This has the makings of an Origin-like contest. A parochial Queensland crowd will play its part, and the Broncos’ week off should leave them fresh and ready. Everyone knows Penrith are capable of winning, but Brisbane’s desperation to right the wrongs of 2023 may just tilt the balance. Either way, this clash is shaping as a finals classic.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Broncos by 2.
See our full NRL Semi Final Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL: Prelim Final Writer Predictions
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