NRL 2025 – Finals week two – preview, predictions and tips
There are no more second chances this year and it’s do-or-die time for the remaining six sides in the NRL.
The Broncos and the Storm can put their feet up this week and watch the carnage unfold while the Raiders, Sharks, Bulldogs and Panthers slog it out for the right to make it to the preliminary finals.
Let’s get straight into it…
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 19th September 2025.
Saturday 20th September – Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks – GIO Stadium, Canberra
Form guide
Minor Premiers Canberra lost one of the all-time great games in week one, as the Broncos edged them out 28-29. That barely tells the story of such an enthralling contes – which they were leading by 16 points with 15 minutes to go – but at least their final ladder position means they get a second chance this week.
The Sharks came away with an impressive 20-10 over the Roosters in their week one clash. It was just a second victory in their last nine Finals games, but all the momentum’s with Cronulla heading into this one.
Team news
The Raiders have named an unchanged squad from last weekend.
Raiders team: 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. Trey Mooney 21. Ethan Sanders 22. Chevy Stewart
No changes to the Sharks 17 from last weekend. Tom Hazelton is named in the extended squad as he eyes a comeback from injury.
Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3 Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Billy Burns 12. Teig Wilton 13. Jesse Colquhoun 14. Briton Nikora 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Jayden berrell 21. Thomas Hazelton 22. Hohepha Puru
My prediction – Canberra Raiders 20-18 Cronulla Sharks
I’m expecting another thriller at GIO Stadium again this weekend and I’m struggling to separate these two. The Raiders will be suffering after last week’s heartbreaking loss to Brisbane, while the Sharks will be on a high. Still, with their home fans behind them and the fact they’re Minor Premiers, I can see Canberra just about getting the job done here.
Betting tips
I’m expecting a close game, so I’m getting straight on the Raiders to win by 1-12 points, at 2/1. I’ll also be going for a pair of anytime tryscorers this week as the odds are quite good. Ronaldo Mulitalo is 1/1 for the Sharks, which looks good value after last week’s two-try haul. As for the Raiders, Ethan Strange has six tries in four games, so the 11/8 on him looks a fairly big price on current form.
Sunday 21st September – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers – Accor Stadium, Sydney
Form guide
The Bulldogs were beaten 26-18 by Melbourne Storm last weekend in a bruising contest which saw Stephen Crichton and Viliame Kikau suffer knocks. The defeat was Canterbury’s fourth in their last five games, with the only victory in that time coming against an under-strength Panthers side.
Penrith saw off the Warriors in Auckland in week one, with an 8-24 victory. The game was closer than the scoreline suggests, but the Panthers pulled away in the final quarter to secure their spot in week two, as they chase a fifth-straight Premiership.
Team news
Stephen Crichton and Marcelo Montoya are named in the extended squad for the Bulldogs, despite not being fully fit, and they’ll be given every chance to make the matchday 17. Bronson Xerri is back from a concussion and Reed Mahoney returns on the bench.
Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Matt Burton 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Reed Mahoney 19. Blake Wilson 20. Jake Turpin 21. Samuel Hughes 22. Marcelo Montoya 23. Stephen Crichton
Mitch Kenny is back in the Panthers’ extended squad and could be a late inclusion. If not, Luke Sommerton has been named to start at hooker with Brad Schneider coming off the bench.
Panthers team: 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. Mitch Kenny
My prediction – Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 14-16 Penrith Panthers
I’m expecting another close one, but I just can’t see past the Panthers in this one. If the Bulldogs do make it then I can see them going out next weekend, whereas Penrith still look like a Grand Finalist in waiting to me.
Betting tips
The Panthers have been given a -9 handicap, which looks a bit much to me. Therefore, I’m going on them to win by 1-12 points, which is 9/5. I can’t ignore Casey McLean in the anytime try market eother after all the winners he’s bagged me this year, and he’s still a well-priced 7/5.
