Dolphins vs Canberra Raiders Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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Kayo Stadium will be rocking as the Dolphins play for a potential maiden finals berth against a Raiders side that has rested a host of their biggest stars.
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
Dolphins team news
Star centre Herbie Farnworth is nearing a return from his hamstring injury he picked up back in Round 22. Farnworth has been selected in the reserves and may be a late inclusion. Forward Kulikefu Finefuiaki is back from an ankle injury so Connelly Lemuelu drops out of the squad.
Squad: 1. Trai Fuller 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Aublix Tawha 15. Ray Stone 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. LJ Nonu 20. James Walsh 21. Peter Hola 22. Herbie Farnworth
Canberra Raiders team news
Coach Ricky Stuart hasn’t quite gone down the Ivan Cleary path of resting 16 players, but he is giving 10 of his stars a week off before the Raiders will host whichever team finishes fourth in week one of the finals. Kaeo Weekes, Jed Stuart, Ethan Strange, Jamal Fogarty, Joe Tapine, Tom Starling, Simi Sasagi, Josh Papalii and Zac Hosking will all sit out for this game, along with Hudson Young. Chevy Stewart has been selected at fullback, Adam Cook and Ethan Sanders will be the halves pairing, while Matty Nicholson will be in the second row. Winger Utuloa Asomua and interchange duo Manaia Waitere and Joe Roddy will all have first grade debuts. Corey Horsburgh will skipper the side.
Squad: 1. Chevy Stewart 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Michael Asomua 6. Adam Cook 7. Ethan Sanders 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Owen Pattie 10. Ata Mariota 11. Noah Martin 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 15. Trey Mooney 16. Manaia Waitere 17. Joseph Roddy 18. Kain Anderson 19. Vena Patuki-Case 20. Shaun Packer 21. Ethan Alaia 22. Myles Martin
Dolphins vs Canberra Raiders prediction
The Dolphins (9th) kept their slim finals hopes alive with a thrilling 36-30 victory over the Gold Coast Titans in Round 26. They have won just two of their last five games and must win this match to have any chance of sneaking into the top eight. They controlled their own destiny a month back and now rely on the Roosters to lose to keep their hopes alive.
The Raiders (1st) have been the competition's benchmark team in 2025, securing the J.J. Giltinan Shield as minor premiers with a 24-10 win over the Wests Tigers last weekend.
Key Stats:
The Dolphins have beaten three of the top four teams this season. The Raiders have won their last three games against the Dolphins. Dolphins centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored five tries in his last four games against the Raiders. The Raiders are aiming for 20 wins in a season for the first time since 1995. Dolphins centre Jake Averillo has scored four tries in his last five games at Kayo Stadium.
In the four matches played between these two clubs since the Dolphins' inception, the Raiders have won three. Canberra won their earlier meeting this season, 40-28 in Round 8
This is a must-win clash for the Dolphins, with their finals hopes hinging on both results and points differential. Against a weakened Raiders side focused on finals, the Dolphins have every advantage but the real test will be handling the pressure to deliver when it matters most.
Dolphins vs Canberra Raiders tip: Dolphins to win by 13+ points
