Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Quarter-Final
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GIO Stadium will be a sea of green as the minor premiers, the Canberra Raiders, host the high-flying Brisbane Broncos.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Canberra Raiders team news
The Canberra Raiders welcome back their full contingent of rested stars, including captain Joseph Tapine and halves Jamal Fogarty and Ethan Strange. The biggest issue for Head Coach Ricky Stuart this week has been the fitness of inspirational forward Josh Papalii (ankle). He will reportedly be given until the captain’s run to prove his fitness.
Squad: 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
Brisbane Broncos team news
The Broncos will be without captain and playmaker Adam Reynolds (hamstring), with Ben Hunt deputising at halfback. Superstar fullback Reece Walsh has been named to play despite a calf injury scare.
Squad: 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
Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos prediction
The Canberra Raiders (1st) claimed the minor premiership despite a final-round 62-24 loss to the Dolphins, where they rested most of their starting side. No team has ever won the competition after conceding 50 points in a match. Despite the reasoning behind the heavy loss, the statistics gurus among us will always lean heavily on that particular stat.
The Brisbane Broncos (4th) are arguably the hottest team in the NRL, charging into the finals on a four-game winning streak, including a 30-14 victory over the resting Melbourne Storm.
Key Players:
Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty is the tactical engine of the Raiders' attack, ranking second in the NRL for kick metres (10,685m) and fourth in total points with 180.
Broncos prop Payne Haas remains the league's most dominant middle forward, ranking in the top five for post-contact metres (1,418m) and second in offloads with 64.
- The Raiders have won only one of their past four finals games.
- The Broncos have lost four of their last five games at GIO Stadium.
- The Raiders have won nine of their 10 games at GIO Stadium this season.
- Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has scored six tries in his last five games.
- Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange has scored seven tries in his last six games at GIO Stadium.
Head-to-Head:
The Broncos hold the historical advantage, but the Raiders won their only meeting in 2025, a 32-22 victory at GIO Stadium.
The Raiders must contend with a defence that is statistically weaker than most modern premiers. For the Broncos, the absence of Adam Reynolds is a massive blow, placing immense pressure on Reece Walsh to be the primary creator. In a hostile finals environment, Canberra's consistency and significant home-ground advantage should be enough. They have far exceeded expectations this year and we think they can book a place in the preliminary final with a win in this one.
Canberra Raiders vs Brisbane Broncos tip: Canberra Raiders to win
