2025 NRL: Semi-Finals Recap

Check out what happened in the National Rugby League Semi-Finals.

Review

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks beat Canberra (GIO Stadium) and Penrith beat Canterbury-Bankstown (Accor Stadium) to reach the preliminary finals.

The Raiders (first) and Bulldogs (third) both exited in straight sets: Canberra became the first minor premiers since St George Illawarra in 2009 to lose consecutive finals.

Cronulla won their fifth straight game, and ninth from their last 10. Despite missing Ethan Strange (illness), Canberra looked like taking a 6-0 lead into half-time, before Ronaldo Mulitalo and Nicho Hynes gave the Sharks a 12-6 lead. While Savelio Tamale levelled the scores early in the second half, Billy Burns, KL Iro, and Teig Wilton helped the Sharks kick away. It’s Cronulla’s second straight preliminary final – after losing to Penrith in 2024. GAME BREAKER: Hynes’ goalkicking was perfect (six from six): his penalty goal in the 59th minute was crucial as it gave Cronulla a 20-12 lead, with Iro’s try three minutes later putting the game away.

Paul Alamoti scored a hat-trick and Brian To’o scored a double for Penrith. The ruthless Panthers led 36-8 at half-time, though Canterbury showed some fight after the break (tries to Jacob Preston, Bronson Xerri, and Jacob Kiraz). It was a sour way to end a wonderful season for Canterbury, securing their first top four finish since 2012. Sitting in last place after 12 rounds, the Panthers have won 12 of their last 15 games to reach their sixth preliminary final in a row. GAME BREAKER: Leading 12-8 after 17 minutes, Penrith scored the next four tries (Nathan Cleary, To’o, Liam Henry, Isaiah Papali’i) to wrap the game up by half-time.

Results

Canberra Raiders 12, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 32 (GIO Stadium, 20/09/2025)

Canberra Raiders: Kaeo Weekes, Savelio Tamale (1 try), Matthew Timoko, Sebastian Kris, Jed Stuart, Simi Sasagi, Jamal Fogarty (2 goals), Josh Papalii, Tom Starling, Joseph Tapine, Hudson Young, Zac Hosking, Corey Horsburgh (1 try), Owen Pattie, Morgan Smithies, Ata Mariota, Matthew Nicholson, Ethan Sanders (18th man – did not play)

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks:
William Kennedy, Sione Katoa (II), Jesse Ramien, KL Iro (1 try), Ronaldo Mulitalo (1 try), Braydon Trindall, Nicho Hynes (1 try, 6 goals), Addin Fonua-Blake, Blayke Brailey, Toby Rudolf, Billy Burns (1 try), Teig Wilton (1 try), Jesse Colquhoun, Briton Nikora, Siosifa Talakai, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Thomas Hazelton, Daniel Atkinson (18th man – did not play)

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 26, Penrith Panthers 46 (Accor Stadium, 21/09/2025)

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs: Connor Tracey, Jacob Kiraz (1 try), Bronson Xerri (1 try), Matt Burton (5 goals), Jethro Rinakama, Lachlan Galvin (1 try), Toby Sexton, Max King, Reed Mahoney, Sitili Tupouniua, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Preston (1 try), Jaeman Salmon, Bailey Hayward, Josh Curran, Kurt Mann, Harry Hayes, Blake Wilson (18th man – did not play)

Penrith Panthers: Dylan Edwards, Paul Alamoti (3 tries), Izack Tago, Casey McLean, Brian To’o (2 tries), Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary (1 try, 7 goals), Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Lindsay Smith, Scott Sorensen, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Brad Schneider, Liam Henry (1 try), Isaiah Papali’i (1 try), Luke Garner, Daine Laurie (18th man – did not play)