NRL 2025 – Prelim Finals – preview, predictions and tips
We’re down to the final four in the NRL after the Bulldogs and the Raiders dropped out last weekend.
Two more teams will see their 2025 campaign end this weekend, while two advance to a Grand Final showdown in Sydney.
Both games look like absolute blockbusters, with 2nd-placed Melbourne facing 5th-placed Cronulla, and 4th-placed Brisbane taking on 7th-placed Penrith.
There are no more second chances, so let’s see how the final four are shaping up…
*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on 24th September 2025.
Friday 26th September – Melbourne Storm vs Cronulla Sharks – AAMI Park, Melbourne
Form guide
The Storm earned themselves a week off after beating the Bulldogs 26-18 in week one. They finished the regular season in 2nd on the ladder, but they’re the only one of the top three to still be standing.
Meanwhile, the Sharks have gone from strength to strength after winning seven of ther final eight games in the regular season to clinch 5th. In week one of the finals, they beat the Roosters 20-10, then last week they beat the Minor Premiers, Canberra, 12-32 in the nation’s capital to set up this winner-take-all showdown.
Team news
The Storm have been given a huge boost with Jahrome Hughes returning from injury. He takes Jonah Pezet’s place in the team. Ryan Papenhuyzen is also back and his return sees Nick Meaney move into the centres with Grant Anderson dropping out. Shawn Blore is also back and on the bench, so Joe Chan drops out of the 17.
Storm team: 1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Will Warbrick 3. Jack Howarth 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cam Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Ativalu Lisati 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Trent Loiero 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Shawn Blore 16. Tui Kamikamica 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Bronson Garlick 19. Grant Anderson 20. Joe Chan 21. Jonah Pezet 22. Sualauvi Faalogo
The Sharks have made just one change from last week’s win over the Raiders. Tom Hazelton is ruled out through concussion, so Oregon Kaufusi comes back into the 17.
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. Tuku Hau Tapuha 22. Hohepa Puru
My prediction – Melbourne Storm 24-20 Cronulla Sharks
This really could go either way and part of me is leaning towards the Sharks given the momentum they’ve built. However, with Hughes and Papenhuyzen back in the side, plus a sold out crowd behind them and a week’s rest, I’m backing Melbourne, just.
Betting tips
I’m backing the Storm to win by 1-12 points, which is 15/8. I also like the look of Ronaldo Mulitalo in the anytime try market for Cronulla. The winger’s priced at 6/5, which is great odds for a player with eight tries in his last five games.
Sunday 28th September – Brisbane Broncos vs Penrith Panthers – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Form guide
The Broncos were victorious in one of the best games of all time in week one, as they saw off the Raiders, 28-29. That victory over the Minor Premiers in their own backyard meant that 4th-placed Brisbane got the weekend off last time out.
As for the Panthers, none of the top eight have looked as primed for the Finals as them. An 8-24 win over the Warriors in week one was followed up by a 26-46 demolition of the Bulldogs last weekend – a scoreline which flattered the Bulldogs a little.
Team news
Two huge returns for the Broncos this weekend with first-choice halves pairing Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam both available again. Reynolds goes straight into the starting side with Mam named on the bench. Xavier Willison is also back after an arm injury. Billy Walters and Patrick Carrigan are both missing from Brisbane’s week one victory. Carrigan’s suspended for one match, while Walters has suffered an ACL injury, which will rule him out for the majority of 2026 as well.
Broncos team: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Deine Mariner 6. Ben Hunt 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Corey Jensen 9. Cory Paix 10. Payne Haas 11. Brendan Piakura 12. Jordan Riki 13. Tyson Smoothy 14. Ezra Mam 15. Kobe Hetherington 16. Xavier Willison 17. Ben Talty 18. Jesse Arthars 19. Jack Gosiewski 20. Selwyn Cobbo 21. Jaiyden Hunt 22. Jock Madden
The Panthers are unchanged from last weekend as they go after a sixth-straight Grand Final appearance.
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. Mitch Kenny 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. Daine Laurie 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Thomas Jenkins 21. Mavrik Geyer 22. Luke Sommerton
My prediction – Brisbane Broncos 24-32 Penrith Panthers
This has the potential to be an all-time classic and part of me is gutted it won’t be the Grand Final. The Broncos are capable of piling on a few points, but they’re just as likely to concede a few as well, and I just can’t see past the Panthers right now.
Betting tips
I’m getting straight on the Panthers with a -2 handicap at 10/11. The 1-12 winning margin looks good too, at 2/1.
