Matchday Details
Sunday, September 14 – 4:05pm (AEST) – GIO Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Ashley Klein | 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. Matt Nicholson, 19. Danny Levi, 20. Ethan Sanders, 21. Noah Martin, 22. Trey Mooney
Broncos
1. Reece Walsh, 2. Josiah Karapani, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Deine Mariner, 6. Billy Walters, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Corey Jensen, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Brendan Piakura, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Patrick Carrigan, 14. Tyson Smoothy, 15. Kobe Hetherington, 16. Ben Talty, 17. Jaiyden Hunt, 18. Jesse Arthars, 19. Fletcher Baker, 20. Delouise Hoeter, 21. Jack Gosiewski, 22. Jock Madden
Match Preview
The final match of the first week of finals is an absolute blockbuster, and we could very well see these two sides face off again in the decider.
After coach Ricky Stuart rested the majority of his starters in the final game of the regular season, everyone is back on deck this week, including Sebastian Kris (who also missed their Round 26 win over the Tigers) with Simi Sasagi reverting back to the bench. Josh Papali’i has been named despite a scare at training last week, injuring his ankle.
For the Broncos, Ben Hunt will stay at halfback with Adam Reynolds still out with a hamstring injury. Gehamat Shibasaki returns to the side after missing last week due to disciplinary reasons, pushing Deine Mariner to the wing and Jesse Arthars to 18th man. There are some slight doubts over Reece Walsh after he was unable to complete training on Tuesday with a calf issue, but he is expected to play.
This is a clash between two premiership heavyweights, the Raiders coming in as favourites after securing the minor premiership with a round to spare after a consistently strong season on top of the ladder.
The Broncos, however, have found their best form in the run home, highlighted by an impressive 30-14 win over the Storm last week, securing a top four finish.
There are intriguing battles right across the field in this one, including Payne Haas going head-to-head with Joe Tapine in the front row. Both players are the leaders of their respective forward packs, and whoever can get on top in the middle of the field will go a long way to deciding this match.
Perhaps the most exciting match-up, however, is that of the fullbacks. Kaeo Weekes and Reece Walsh are two of the premier fullbacks in the competition and can turn a game on its head with their speed and flashy play. Walsh has the finals experience, helping his side to a grand final appearance just two years ago, but Weekes has been a key cog in the Raiders’ rise this season.
The two sides only met once during the regular season, a 32-22 Raiders victory all the way back in round 2. The Raiders boast an impressive record at GIO Stadium this year, having won nine of their 10 games at the venue, while the Broncos have lost four of their last five games in Canberra.
This match could go either way, but given the home field advantage, the Raiders should advance to the preliminary final.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Raiders by 6.
See our full NRL Week 1 Finals Predictions (live Wednesday 12pm) here: 2025 NRL: Week 1 Finals Writer Predictions
Have your say: Who wins? Drop your tip in the comments or vote in our poll.
Related Links
- 2025 NRL Round 27 Injury List
- 2025 Ladder and Head-to-Head Stats
- Week 1 Finals Fixtures and Club-by-Club Finals Stats
