Matchday Details
Sunday, September 7 – 2pm (AEST) – Kayo Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Gerard Sutton | Bunker: Ashley Klein
Dolphins
1. Trai Fuller, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jake Averillo, 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5. Tevita Naufahu, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa, 8. Francis Molo, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Felise Kaufusi, 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 12. Oryn Keeley, 13. Kurt Donoghoe, 14. Aublix Tawha, 15. Ray Stone, 16. Mark Nicholls, 17. Josh Kerr, 18. Kenny Bromwich, 19. LJ Nonu, 20. James Walsh, 21. Peter Hola, 22. Herbie Farnworth
Raiders
1. Chevy Stewart, 2. Savelio Tamale, 3. Matthew Timoko, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Michael Asomua, 6. Adam Cook, 7. Ethan Sanders, 8. Corey Horsburgh, 9. Owen Pattie, 10. Ata Mariota, 11. Noah Martin, 12. Matt Nicholson, 13. Morgan Smithies, 14. Danny Levi, 15. Trey Mooney, 16. Manaia Waitere, 17. Joseph Roddy, 18. Kain Anderson, 19. Vena Patuki-Case, 20. Shaun Packer, 21. Ethan Alaia, 22. Myles Martin
Match Preview
By the time we get to this Sunday’s clash between the Dolphins and Raiders, at the traditional home of Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe, the top eight may well be sorted and this game will be relatively meaningless. However, if the Roosters are beaten by the Rabbitohs on the Friday night then this game could be an historic moment for the NRL’s newest club.
The fact that they have come this close to finals with their 0-4 start to the season, and their horrendous injury list of key players throughout most of 2025, is an amazing achievement for a club that naturally has less depth than most. Their most recent key injury of Herbie Farnworth really halted their momentum, and they dropped three games in a row against their top eight rivals; even after a much-needed win over the Gold Coast last weekend, they still need favours from other teams. It helps that one of the teams that could help them has the Dolphins’ inaugural coach Wayne Bennett in charge. He could go down in Dolphins folklore by winning with another club.
Canberra have certainly helped the Dolphins ahead of the weekend with resting a bunch of players ahead of this weekend’s trip north. Whilst not Penrith minibus levels from last weekend, the Raiders rested list still wouldn’t fit in a Maxi Taxi, there’s 10 in all. The entire starting spine will be staying in Canberra, plus key players Joe Tapine, Jed Stuart, Hudson Young, Josh Papalii, Simi Sasagi, and Zac Hosking are resting. Chevy Stewart is this weekend’s fullback, while Adam Cook, Ethan Sanders, and Owen Pattie complete the spine. The Raiders still offer a strong centre pairing of Matthew Timoko and Sebastian Kris, which could be some kind of battle if Herbie Farnworth plays. Corey Horsburgh earns himself the captaincy in a nice nod for his 2025 efforts.
The changes will certainly help the NRL side as they prepare for a run at their first premiership since 1994; the flow-on could affect their NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg teams, who are both playing in finals this weekend.
The Raiders have certainly earned a week’s rest after their 24-10 win over the Wests Tigers last weekend, sealing their first minor premiership since 1990. Canberra’s 2025 minor premiership is an amazing achievement given most pundits had them outside the top eight at best. Like the Dolphins there’s very few superstars, but a real team mentality, and they still entertain. If Ricky Stuart isn’t coach of the year, then there’s something wrong with the award. Although Kristian Woolf with his injury list and lingering Bennett Curse should be in the top five.
In Dolphins team news, Herbie Farnworth is a key inclusion among the reserves and the word on the street is he will only be risked if the Dolphins are still alive in the finals race. One would presume Tevita Naufahu, who has filled in admirably in recent months, would make way. Key forward Kulikefu Finefuiaki returns and his durability and efforts in 2025 have made him an outstanding signing. The experiment of Trai Fuller at fullback and Hamiso-Tabuai Fidow continues after a better result and performance against the Titans last weekend, and if they are still alive in the finals hunt points scored may matter.
The stats favour a full-strength Canberra, as they have won three in a row against the Dolphins; the game earlier this season in Canberra saw an incredible second half comeback, turning a 28-10 half time deficit into 40-28 win. The Raiders have also been very good away from home – Canberra lost their first two away games this season but have won eight of their last nine since. Plus, it’s four wins and one loss away on a Sunday this season. The Dolphins have won their last two home games on a Sunday, but at Redcliffe it’s a little less convincing. It’s W1 L1 at Redcliffe on a Sunday for the Dolphins and W4 L3 at Redcliffe on any day for the Dolphins.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Dolphins by 20.
See our full Round 27 Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL Tipping: Round 27 Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
