Matchday Details
Saturday, September 20 – 7:50pm (AEST) – GIO Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Grant Atkins | Bunker: Chris Butler
Raiders
1. Kaeo Weekes, 2. Savelio Tamale, 3. Matthew Timoko, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Jed Stuart, 6. Ethan Strange, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Josh Papali’i, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joseph Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Zac Hosking, 13. Corey Horsburgh, 14. Owen Pattie, 15. Simi Sasagi, 16. Morgan Smithies, 17. Ata Mariota, 18. Matthew Nicholson, 19. Danny Levi, 20. Trey Mooney, 21. Ethan Sanders, 22. Chevy Stewart
Sharks
1. William Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa (II), 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. KL Iro, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Toby Rudolf, 11. Billy Burns, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Jesse Colquhoun, 14. Briton Nikora, 15. Siosifa Talakai, 16. Oregon Kaufusi, 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele, 18. Daniel Atkinson, 19. Mawene Hiroti, 20. Jayden Berrell, 21. Thomas Hazelton, 22. Hohepa Puru
Match Preview
It’s another tough test for the Raiders this week, as they attempt to pick themselves back up after a heartbreaking extra time loss to the Broncos last week. There are no changes to the side that went down 29-28 in the 94-minute epic, despite leading 28-12 at one point in the second half.
Canberra comes up against a Sharks side that will be full of confidence after overcoming an in-form Roosters team in the Elimination Final a week ago. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon has named the same 17 to take on the Raiders, with Thomas Hazleton an outside chance to return from injury in the reserves.
The Sharks are hunting their second preliminary final in consecutive years. They might not have the attacking flair that the Raiders possess, but if their forwards can get on top in the middle of the field behind Addin Fonua-Blake and co, Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall have the ability to control the game and field position.
For the Raiders, all eyes will be on how they rebound from last week. Ricky Stuart’s men thought they had the game won twice – and perhaps almost three times, after owning a 16-point lead at one point – before Ben Hunt slotted the winning field goal 14 minutes into extra time. That can be a debilitating result that could potentially derail their season after finishing minor premiers, so Stuart will have his work cut out for him to ensure his men are ready.
Again, it will be up to the Raiders’ middle forwards to get their team on the front foot early, led by Joseph Tapine, Josh Papali’i, and Corey Horsburgh. On paper, they possess a better forward pack than their opponents, and if they win the battle in the middle, the likes of Ethan Strange and Kaeo Weekes can do some damage. If it’s close at the end, however, they need someone to stand up in the big moments, and that’s likely on Jamal Fogarty. On multiple occasions against the Broncos, they had the chance to seal the game late but were unable to do so.
These two sides only came up against each other once this season, the Raiders victors 24-20 back in round 5. At GIO Stadium, they own a strong record, with the Sharks only winning one of their last six games at the venue.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Raiders by 4.
See our full NRL Semi Final Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL: Semi Final Writer Predictions
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