Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 6 clash between the Dolphins and the Penrith Panthers.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
The Dolphins vs Penrith Panthers
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
Date: Thursday 10 April 7:50pm (ADST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Max Plath 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Kenny Bromwich 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Max Feagai 22. Junior Tupou
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Thomas Jenkins 5. Casey McLean 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Liam Henry 17. Luke Garner 18. Daine Laurie 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Trent Toelau 21. Mavrik Geyer 22. Jesse McLean
Referee: Grant Atkins
Bunker: Adam Gee
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
On this week’s edition of Thursday night football, Penrith travel to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium to play The Dolphins. Going into round 5 Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf hadn’t experienced an NRL win as head coach, but that all turned around and in convincing fashion, beating Queensland rivals the Titans 36-10. The Panthers’ form guide is equally as disappointing, with their only win of the season coming in the season opener verses a Sharks team that also hasn’t quite found their rhythm in 2025.
In team news you only have to look at the first name on this week’s Penriths squad to see the most notable inclusion to the team’s line-up. I am talking about the return of their consistent and reliable fullback Dylan Edwards. Daine Laurie has put in his best efforts while Edwards has been sidelined, but with no disrespect the quality Edwards has bought to the team over their four premierships in a row is irreplaceable. Jack Cole (concussion) is unavailable for this game, meaning new signing Blaize Talagi will start at five-eighth: Penrith will hope he brings some fresh energy as he fights to keep his place which he’s failed to cement since he left the Eels. The final notable change for the Panthers is at hooker, the new-look spine is completed with Luke Sommerton getting the number nine jersey.
For the Dolphins, Tom Gilbert (suspension) is straight back into his roles as captain and starting second row. His presence will be much needed in combatting Penrith’s workhorse second row of Liam Martin and Scott Sorensen. Max Plath has been a surprising repeat try scorer over the last few weeks but will have to look to continue this from the lock position as a result of Gilbert’s inclusion. No other notable Dolphins changes/inclusions other than reshuffling the forward pack around, with Mark Nicholls reverting back to his regular impact bench role and Felise Kaufusi starting in the front row.
Last time these two sides met it was a high-scoring, close, and entertaining match, with Penrith winning 28-26. Notably that day fullback Hamiso Tabui-Fidow notched a double which brings me to my head-to-head player match up. The key battle of Suncorp this Thursday is a heavyweight one, not by literal kilograms, but by star power and ability. The winner of this game could come down to who wins the battle of the fullbacks: Tabuai-Fidow vs Edwards. Edwards has an innate ability to make two to three hundred metres with the football in hand every game, getting Penrith on the front foot every set returning the ball. Tabuai-Fidow has the ability and athleticism to tear apart any defence in the blink of an eye, making him a dangerous try threat anytime, anywhere on the field. Strap in and enjoy.
The Dolphins have never beaten Penrith, but considering their whole existence in the completion is during Penrith’s four premierships in a row, this isn’t a stat that’s alarming or to be ashamed of. The Dolphins will have a fantastic opportunity at home to cause the upset riding off the momentum of the Titans win, and capitalising on Penrith’s most vulnerable looking form of the last five years.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Panthers by 6 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
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