FRIDAY MAY 2nd 2025 MAGIC ROUND
Sharks v Eels
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 6:00pm
Eels Eye Rare Magic Round Win Against Wounded Sharks
As Magic Round kicks off in style, the opening act sees the Sharks squaring off against the Eels—who come in refreshed from a bye and buoyed by a dominant Easter Monday win over the Wests Tigers.
For Cronulla, there’s a sting of regret still lingering from last Sunday at Leichhardt Oval. In a golden point thriller, the Sharks had multiple opportunities to seal victory with a field goal, yet inexplicably took the ball wide each time, letting the win slip away.
The Eels, meanwhile, haven’t had much magic at Magic Round. They’ve managed just one win in five appearances, and last year endured a humbling 48-16 defeat at the hands of the Storm. In contrast, the Sharks claimed a hard-fought 38-30 triumph over the Roosters during Magic Round 2024.
All eyes will be on Mitch Moses, who made a statement in his return from injury against the Tigers. The star halfback will be aiming to go head-to-head with Nicho Hynes in a marquee playmaking battle—one that could decide the contest.
There are changes to the Sharks’ lineup too. Centre Kayal Iro is set to return from a hamstring injury, slotting in for Mawene Hiroti, who suffered a knee injury in last week’s loss. Meanwhile, forward Braden Hamlin-Uele has earned a bench spot for what would be his first NRL game since Round 3, after impressing in a NSW Cup return.
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Jesse Colquhoun 21. Hohepa Puru
Out: Mawene Hiroti (centre)
In: Kayal Iro (centre), Braden Hamlin-Uele (bench)
Eels Return from Bye with Minimal Changes and Maximum Intent
Parramatta return to the spotlight for Magic Round with fresh legs and just a single tweak to their lineup following last week’s bye. With Kelma Tuilagi sidelined due to suspension, young gun Charlie Guymer steps into the back row. In the halves, the familiar pairing of Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses will once again steer the ship, while Isaiah Iongi takes charge at fullback, ready to ignite the Eels’ attack from the back.
Eels.
1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Bailey Simonsson 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Sean Russell, 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Charlie Guymer 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Matt Doorey 17. Sam Tuivaiti 18. Ryan Matterson 19. Joash Papali’i 20. Dean Hawkins 21. Bryce Cartwright 22. Jordan Samrani
Out: Kelma Tuilagi (second row)
In: Charlie Guymer (second row)
Key Stats
The Sharks have won only one of their past four Magic Round games.
The Eels have conceded 104 points in their last three games at Suncorp Stadium.
Sharks fullback William Kennedy has scored three tries in three Magic Round games.
Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored six tries in four Magic Round games.
Sharks forward Tom Hazelton will make his 50th NRL appearance.
Referees: Peter Gough, Touch Judges, Phil Henderson, Bunker, Chris Butler;
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS V SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Suncorp Stadium 8.05pm
Dolphins Eye Magic Round Redemption After Canberra Reality Check
After back-to-back wins over both of last year’s grand finalists in Rounds 6 and 7, the Dolphins were flying high—until they came crashing down in Canberra. What began as a dominant first half at GIO Stadium, with the visitors surging to a 28-10 lead, unravelled quickly as the Raiders stormed home with 30 unanswered points in just 30 minutes, handing Wayne Bennett’s men a stinging reality check.
Still, the Dolphins won’t need much motivation as they return to Magic Round—the stage where they launched their Telstra Premiership journey with a famous 28-18 upset of the Roosters in Round 1, 2023. Having also notched Magic Round wins over the Sharks and Tigers in the past two years, they’ll back themselves to go three from three at the showpiece event, with playmakers Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima again steering the ship.
On the other side, the Roosters arrive at Magic Round off a confidence-boosting ANZAC Day performance, where they finally hit their stride. Despite a brutal opening draw that included two clashes each with the Broncos and Panthers in the first seven rounds, Trent Robinson’s side found their rhythm in Round 8, running in seven tries against the Dragons.
That momentum sees the Roosters name an unchanged 17 for this weekend, with Sandon Smith and Hugo Savala again linking up in the halves. Speedster Dom Young remains on the extended bench for the second straight week, as the Tricolours aim to keep the good times rolling.
Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Sandon Smith 7. Hugo Savala 8. Spencer Leniu, 9. Connor Watson 10. Naufahu Whyte 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong , 13. Victor Radley 14. Zach Dockar-Clay 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Blake Steep , 17. Egan Butcher 18. Ethan King 19. Taylor Losalu 20. Chad Townsend, 21. Dominic Young 22. Makahesi Makatoa
Unchanged
Kaufusi and Marshall-King Back to Bolster Dolphins’ Magic Round Push
The Dolphins welcome some timely reinforcements for Magic Round, with veteran prop Felise Kaufusi returning to the fold to help ease the blow of losing Daniel Saifiti to a shoulder injury. Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King is also set to make his long-awaited comeback—his first appearance since suffering a nasty leg gash in the aftermath of the Round 6 win over Penrith. His return sees the tireless Ray Stone shift to the bench to provide impact later in the match.
Adding to the boost, Kurt Donoghoe is back from an ankle injury and will slot into the interchange, offering more depth and versatility. As a result of the reshuffle, Sean O’Sullivan and Kenny Bromwich make way, moving to the reserves for the time being.
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Jack Bostock 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Felise Kaufusi 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Francis Molo 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Tom Gilbert 13. Mark Nicholls 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Connelly Lemuelu 17. Josh Kerr 18. Kenny Bromwich 19. Sean O’Sullivan 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Harrison Graham 22. Max Feagai
Out: Daniel Saifiti (front row), Kenny Bromwich (to reserve), Sean O’Sullivan (to reserve)
In: Felise Kaufusi (front row), Jeremy Marshall-King (hooker), Kurt Donoghoe (bench)
Changes: Ray Stone (hooker to bench)
Key Stats
The Roosters have scored 96 points in their last three games at Suncorp Stadium.
Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako has scored four tries in his last three games against the Roosters.
The Roosters have scored 70 points in back-to-back wins over the Dolphins.
The Dolphins have won both of their Magic Round games.
Roosters second-rower Angus Crichton has scored four tries in his past four games at Suncorp Stadium.
Referees: Grant Atkins, Touch Judges, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, David Munro, Bunker, Kasey Badger.
Magic Round on Edge: Will Officials Finally Meet Expectations This Week?
Who knows what decisions the officials will get up to this week. So far this season they have been below standard by a long way and lets hope it does NOT continue in MAGIC ROUND.
One way I think to fix the Bunker issue is to have several full time bunker officials. Not current referees ,but ex players, or ex coaches, who have played the game at a top level, and if these officials do all games, every week ,we might get some consistency. Cost should not be a factor as the NRL makes a fortune from the game already.
Check out the Saturday game here
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