Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League Magic Round clash between the Sydney Roosters and Dolphins.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Sydney Roosters Vs Dolphins
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Date: Friday May 2, 8:05pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep 17. Egan Butcher 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Chad Townsend 21. Dominic Young 22. Makahesi Makatoa
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Felise Kaufusi 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Mark Nicholls 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Harrison Graham 22. Max Feagai
Referee: Grant Atkins
Bunker: Kasey Badger
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The NRL’s longest-surviving club takes on the newest club in the second match of 2025.
The Sydney Roosters and the Dolphins are linked through the Arthur Beetson and will once again do battle at one of the Immortal’s favourite playgrounds.
After thrashing the Dragons 46-18 on ANZAC Day, Roosters coach Trent Robinson has named the same 17 for the first time in 2025. Big names Chad Townsend and Dominic Young have been named among the reserves, but both have been named for the Roosters NSW Cup team and look unlikely to make the trip to Brisbane.
Kristian Woolf’s Dolphins don’t have the same luxury, losing Daniel Saifiti to a shoulder injury. The Dolphins get Jeremy Marshall-King back from a leg gash, while Felise Kaufusi (medial ligament) and Kurt Donoghoe (calf) have been named and given every chance to prove their fitness.
After a nightmare start to the season, losing four of their first five matches the Roosters have started to show their potential, winning two of their past three. Of particular note was the performance of young five-eighth Sandon Smith against the Dragons, who put criticism of his form aside to star with two tries, an assist, three line breaks and 164 run metres.
It was a similarly bad start for the Dolphins, losing their first four, however they turned it around with three wins in a row. They would have been feeling confident of making it four in a row when they led Canberra 28-10 at half time in round 8, however 30 unanswered points in the second half saw them lose 40-28.
This match will see two of the most exciting backlines in the competition go head-to-head. On one side of the field, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Robert Toia do battle with Jack Bostock and Herbie Farnworth, while the other side sees Daniel Tupou and Billy Smith face off against Jamayne Isaako and Jake Averillo.
The two clubs have met three times since the Dolphins joined the NRL in 2023, with the Roosters winning twice. The Dolphins lone win was also the only time they’ve met at Suncorp Stadium, a match which doubled as their debut premiership match.
The Roosters have won eight of their past 15 matches at Suncorp Stadium, including their most recent visit to the venue three weeks ago against Brisbane. The Dolphins have won 11 of their 21 matches there, including four of their past five. Their last two matches at Suncorp have seen them defeat reigning grand finalists Penrith 30-12 and Melbourne 42-22.
After winning their first three matches at Magic Round, the Roosters have been defeated by North Queensland and Cronulla in their last two. The Dolphins have won their two Magic Round matches, against Cronulla in 2023 and Wests Tigers in 2024.
The player of the match will be awarded the Artie Legacy Medal, named in honour of Arthur Beetson. Previous winners have been Felise Kaufusi, Billy Smith and Sam Walker.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Dolphins by 6
Check out our Magic Round predictions here.
Follow Us on Facebook
