The second week of the NRL finals is set to deliver high-stakes action, with team lists for the semifinal clashes revealing significant changes, particularly for the Canterbury Bulldogs as they prepare for a sudden-death battle against the Penrith Panthers on Sunday. The Bulldogs, coming off a bruising 26-18 loss to the Melbourne Storm, have been forced to overhaul their spine due to injuries, introducing a fresh halves pairing of Lachlan Galvin and Toby Sexton. Meanwhile, the Canberra Raiders and Cronulla Sharks are gearing up for a thrilling opener on Saturday night at Canberra Stadium.
The Bulldogs’ reshuffle is a bold move by coach Cameron Ciraldo, who is navigating a mounting injury toll. Regular five-eighth Matt Burton has been shifted to the centres to cover for captain Stephen Crichton, who is named on an extended bench but is unlikely to play due to an ankle injury sustained earlier. This has paved the way for Galvin and Sexton to take the reins in the halves for only their third game together this season, a combination that will be tested against the formidable Panthers, who are chasing a fourth straight premiership.
Winger Jacob Kiraz, a standout for Canterbury, has declared his readiness to play through pain, relying on painkilling injections to stay on the field. The 23-year-old, who limped off in round 26 against Penrith with an ankle injury expected to sideline him for a month, made a remarkable recovery in just over two weeks. “I pray everything heals quickly, I don’t know if it’s the Lebanese food or what because everyone’s trying to say that might be the secret,” Kiraz told AAP. His determination is palpable: “I knew I was going to play in pain. I said to the team and to the coach I do not care if I play in pain. As long as I can run, I don’t care. The needle helped a little bit, there’s some boys who can’t even play due to injury, so if I have to play through a little bit of pain now, it doesn’t bother me.”
Kiraz’s resilience is emblematic of the Bulldogs’ fighting spirit as they aim to upset Penrith’s dynasty. The new-look spine of fullback Connor Tracey, hooker Bailey Hayward, Galvin, and Sexton is untested this season, adding an element of unpredictability. Hayward, despite missing 15 tackles against Melbourne, retains his spot, with Reed Mahoney moving to the bench for added flexibility. Burton will pair with Bronson Xerri in the centres, while Jethro Rinakama joins Kiraz on the wings, forming a backline tasked with containing Penrith’s attacking firepower.
The Panthers, led by Nathan Cleary, remain a daunting challenge. Their lineup boasts stability, with Dylan Edwards at fullback, Brian To’o on the wing, and Isaah Yeo anchoring the forwards. However, they too have made adjustments, with Blaize Talagi stepping into the five-eighth role and Luke Sommerton at hooker. The Bulldogs will need to exploit any cracks in Penrith’s cohesion to keep their season alive.
Saturday’s clash between the Canberra Raiders and Cronulla Sharks promises equal intensity. The Raiders, buoyed by home support at Canberra Stadium, field a strong side with Kaeo Weekes at fullback, Jamal Fogarty in the halves, and Josh Papalii leading the forwards. The Sharks counter with Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall in the halves, backed by the dynamic Addin Fonua-Blake up front. Both teams are coming off hard-fought qualifying finals, with Canberra’s grit and Cronulla’s flair setting the stage for a tight contest.
For the Bulldogs, the focus is on overcoming adversity. Kiraz’s return against the odds and the new halves pairing signal a team refusing to go quietly. Ciraldo’s decision to stick with Hayward despite his defensive lapses shows faith in the young hooker’s potential, while Mahoney’s presence on the bench offers a safety net. The Bulldogs’ forward pack, featuring Max King, Josh Curran, and Viliame Kikau, will need to match Penrith’s physicality to give their new spine a platform to shine.
The Raiders-Sharks matchup, meanwhile, hinges on key battles in the halves and the forwards. Fogarty’s kicking game will be crucial for Canberra, while Hynes’s ability to orchestrate Cronulla’s attack could prove decisive. Both games carry the weight of elimination, with the winners advancing to the preliminary finals and the losers packing up for the off-season.
As the NRL finals heat up, the Bulldogs’ gamble on an untested spine and Kiraz’s warrior-like mentality encapsulate the desperation and heart of playoff football. Whether it’s enough to topple the Panthers, or if the Raiders can outlast the Sharks, this weekend’s semifinals are poised to deliver drama, courage, and moments that will define the 2025 season.
NRL Finals Week Two Team Lists
Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks, Saturday, September 20, 7:50pm AEST, Canberra Stadium
Canberra Raiders: 1. Kaeo Weekes, 2. Savelio Tamale, 3. Matthew Timoko, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Jed Stuart, 6. Ethan Strange, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Josh Papalii, 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
Cronulla Sharks: 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. Hohepa PuruCanterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers, Sunday, September 21, 4:05pm AEST, Stadium Australia
Canterbury Bulldogs: 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
Penrith Panthers: 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 Papalii, 17. Luke Garner, 18. Thomas Jenkins, 19. Matt Eisenhuth, 20. Daine Laurie, 21. Mavrik Geyer, 22. Mitch Kenny