Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL

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The Melbourne Storm head to Brisbane to clash with a confident Canberra Raiders squad

Start date/time: Sunday 4th May, 2025: UK – 9:25am / Local – 6:25pm / US ET – 4:25am / US PT – 1:25am

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

Melbourne Storm team news

Sua Fa’alogo has been named on the wing after passing concussion protocols. Nelson Asofa-Solomona played Queensland Cup last week and has been named on the extended bench. Tui Kamikamica’s returns from an ankle injury which sees Lazarus Vaalepu relegated to the long squad.

Squad: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Sualauvi Faalogo 3. Grant Anderson 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Bronson Garlick 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Alec MacDonald 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Joe Chan 18. Ativalu Lisati 19. Lazarus Vaalepu 20. Kane Bradley 21. Keagan Russell-Smith 22. Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Canberra Raiders team news

Head Coach Ricky Stuart has resisted the temptation to make changes. The Raiders are riding a four-game winning streak in which 31-year-old Jamal Fogarty has played a pivotal role. He has announced his intentions to play with Manly from 2026 and beyond but Stuart’s side are 1-17 heading into their top-four Magic Round clash against the Storm.

Squad: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Corey Horsburgh 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Owen Pattie 15. Zac Hosking 16. Josh Papali’i 17. Ata Mariota 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Manaia Waitere 20. Pasami Saulo 21. Trey Mooney 22. Danny Levi

Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders prediction

The Canberra Raiders have won four successive matches and are without doubt one of the form teams of the competition. It took a while for them to get going against the Dolphins at home last week, giving them a big head start before they stormed home to win 40-28. They have been particularly effective in the second half; piling points on against Parramatta and then rattling points off late to beat the Sharks at home. This is the biggest test of the season to date however and you know that Ricky Stuart will have reinforced the importance to his team and they will be ready.

The Melbourne Storm currently sit in second place on the ladder and will be well pleased with beating South Sydney for the 20th consecutive time last week, but they haven’t been at their absolute best for a few weeks now. Coach Craig Bellamy always has a few tricks up his sleeve for his old teammate and this promises to be the match of the round.

The Raiders have won just 16 of their 54 matches against Melbourne since they entered the competition in 1998. The teams have split their last four encounters, with the Raiders nabbing two victories in Melbourne during that time. With the neutral venue on this occasion due to magic round, neither team has that benefit of home field advantage although the Storm have a Queensland blend to their supporters.

We think the Melbourne Storm will rise to the occasion in magic round in a close contest against the Raiders.

Melbourne Storm vs Canberra Raiders tip: Melbourne Storm to win