Matchday Details
Saturday, September 13 – 4:05pm (AEST) – Mount Smart Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Grant Atkins | Bunker: Liam Kennedy
Warriors
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Kurt Capewell, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark, 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 18. Taine Tuaupiki, 20. Samuel Healey, 21. Kalani Going, 22. Bunty Afoa, 23. Edward Kosi
Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Paul Alamoti, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Brian To’o, 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. Liam Henry, 16. Isaiah Papali’i, 17. Luke Garner, 18. Thomas Jenkins, 19. Matt Eisenhuth, 20. Daine Laurie, 21. Mavrik Geyer, 22. Trent Toelau
Match Preview
The cream is rising to the top for season 2025 with finals footy arriving.
In the first of the elimination finals, the Warriors host a rare final in New Zealand against four-time premiers Penrith.
There are two big inclusions for Andrew Webster’s Warriors, with hooker Wayde Egan returning for his 150th first grade game along with prop Jackson Ford. Rocco Berry is out with a season-ending shoulder injury, meaning Kurt Capewell will move to centre, and Leka Halasima will start in the second row.
It’s a similar story for the Panthers, with Brian To’o and Liam Martin both returning to the side after being rested in round 27, however Mitch Kenny is out with a hamstring issue. Ivan Cleary has called upon Luke Sommerton to replace Kenny at hooker, while Paul Alamoti has retained his spot on the wing at the expense of Tom Jenkins.
A season full of promise has slowly fallen apart for the Warriors. They sat as high as third after round 15 before injuries, particularly those to Luke Metcalf and Mitch Barnett, saw things fall away. They enter the finals with just four wins from their final 11 games, ending the regular season with a 27-26 loss to Manly.
Penrith’s season has largely gone in the exact opposite direction to the Warriors, starting poorly and sitting outright last after 12 rounds before recovering to finish seventh. Their only three defeats since then have come in the last month, twice in Golden Point and once when resting their entire side. Their turnaround has come off the back of their defence, which at one stage was ranked 16th and was 12th after round 12. Since that time, they’ve been the best defensive team, conceding just 198 points to leave them with the fourth-best defensive record in the competition.
These two sides have clashed three times previously in finals, with the Panthers coming up trumps on all three occasions, though this will be the first time they’ve played a final in New Zealand. The Warriors have hosted four finals matches in their history, winning two. The Panthers have won nine of the last 10 matches between the two clubs, including earlier in 2025 when a severely understrength side claimed a 28-18 win at Go Media Stadium.
The key match-up for this game will be opposing front rowers James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota. Neither of the two has dominated in 2025 like they did when they were playing alongside each other, but both will be determined to come out on top on Saturday to keep their team’s season alive. Both players have similar stats for the season, running for more than 100 metres per game, and tackling with a 95% efficiency.
On paper, the Panthers should win comfortably. They are in better form and have more experience. But, with a home crowd behind them and all the pressure off, the Warriors could cause an upset and bring the dynasty to an end.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Panthers by 12.
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
