SATURDAY AUGUST 8th 2025
Dragons v Sharks,
Jubilee Stadium, Sydney, 3pm.
Derby Days and Dragon Fire: Can the Red V Break the Shark Spell?
When it comes to local derbies, ladder positions and recent form tend to go out the window. There’s always a bite to the battle—but in recent years, it’s been the Sharks with the sharper teeth. Cronulla have dominated this fierce rivalry with ten straight wins over the Dragons since 2020, including a pair of crushing defeats in 2023 and a 38-10 demolition job last season.
But the Dragons aren’t done yet. Finals may have slipped from their grasp for the seventh year running, but pride—and the chance to humble a few heavyweights—still fuels their fire.
Coach Shane Flanagan has stuck solid with the same 17 that stunned the Raiders last week, hoping to build momentum and snatch back-to-back wins. And with winger Tyrell Sloan in sizzling form—six tries in his past five games—there’s a quiet confidence building in the Red V camp that the tide could be about to turn.
Dragons
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Mathew Feagai, 5. Corey Allan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Emre Guler 9. Damien Cook, 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Michael Molo 13. Jack de Belin, 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Hamish Stewart 16. Hame Sele 17. Blake Lawrie , 18. Hayden Buchanan 19. Ben Murdoch-Masila 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Jacob Halangahu, 22. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
Unchanged.
Derby Days and Dragon Fire: Can the Red V End the Shark Reign?
When it comes to local derbies, ladder positions and recent form tend to go out the window. There’s always a bite to the battle—but in recent years, it’s been the Sharks with the sharper teeth. Cronulla have dominated this fierce rivalry with ten straight wins over the Dragons since 2020, including a pair of crushing defeats in 2023 and a 38-10 demolition job last season.
But the Dragons aren’t done yet. Finals may have slipped from their grasp for the seventh year running, but pride—and the chance to humble a few heavyweights—still fuels their fire.
Coach Shane Flanagan has stuck solid with the same 17 that stunned the Raiders last week, hoping to build momentum and snatch back-to-back wins. And with winger Tyrell Sloan in sizzling form—six tries in his past five games—there’s a quiet confidence building in the Red V camp that the tide could be about to turn.
Standing in their way are Craig Fitzgibbon’s Sharks, a side that’s spent time as high as fifth on the ladder this season and still has a bye up their sleeve—well placed for what would be their tenth finals appearance in eleven years. Their run home includes three clashes with lower-ranked sides, but they’ll know better than to underestimate a fired-up Dragons outfit fresh from toppling the competition leaders.
Fitzgibbon has made just one change to the team that edged out the Cowboys, with Toby Rudolf returning from concussion to take a spot on the bench. Jesse Colquhoun drops out due to suspension, while Billy Burns remains on standby as 18th man.
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Siosifa Talakai, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton , 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Thomas Hazelton , 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Billy Burns 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Hohepa Puru , 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Samuel Stonestreet
Out: Jesse Colquhoun (bench)
In: Toby Rudolf (bench)
Key Stats
The Dragons have not defeated the Sharks at Jubilee Stadium since 2016.
The Sharks have won their last 10 games against the Dragons.
Dragons winger Tyrell Sloan has scored six tries in his last five games.
Sharks second-rower Teig Wilton will make his 100th NRL appearance.
The Dragons have defeated three top-eight teams this season.
Derby Days and Dragon Fire: Can the Red V End the Shark Reign and Spoil Their Finals Push?
When it comes to local derbies, ladder positions and recent form tend to go out the window. There’s always a bite to the battle—but in recent years, it’s been the Sharks with the sharper teeth. Cronulla have dominated this fierce rivalry with ten straight wins over the Dragons since 2020, including a pair of crushing defeats in 2023 and a 38-10 demolition job last season.
But the Dragons aren’t done yet. Finals may have slipped from their grasp for the seventh year running, but pride—and the chance to humble a few heavyweights—still fuels their fire.
Coach Shane Flanagan has stuck solid with the same 17 that stunned the Raiders last week, hoping to build momentum and snatch back-to-back wins. And with winger Tyrell Sloan in sizzling form—six tries in his past five games—there’s a quiet confidence building in the Red V camp that the tide could be about to turn.
Meanwhile, Craig Fitzgibbon’s Sharks are eyeing a deep finals run. They’ve climbed as high as fifth on the ladder this season and, with a bye in hand and a favourable run home, are aiming for their 10th finals appearance in 11 years. They’ll be wary, though—three of their remaining opponents sit below them on the table, but none will bring the passion and purpose of their bitter rivals from across town.
Just one change for Cronulla this week, with Toby Rudolf returning from concussion to take Jesse Colquhoun’s spot on the bench (suspended), while Billy Burns remains 18th man.
The Sharks were clinical in dismantling the Cowboys last week, but they know this won’t be a walk in the park. The Dragons, fresh off a stunning upset in Wollongong, would love nothing more than to throw a spanner into their neighbour’s finals plans with one more derby-day ambush.
Match Officials
Referees, Ashley Klein, Touch Judges, Daniel Luttringer, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Bunker, Chris Butler.
Dolphins v Roosters
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 5.30pm.
Clash at the Cauldron: Dolphins and Roosters Collide with Finals Hopes on the Line
The Cauldron will be boiling over on Saturday evening as the eighth-placed Dolphins host the ninth-placed Roosters in a clash that could shape the bottom half of the top eight. With just a handful of rounds left, both sides know the stakes—and neither can afford to blink.
It’s a fitting matchup. The Roosters were the Dolphins’ first-ever NRL opponent, and the Dolphins famously stunned them in that historic debut back in 2023. But since then, the Roosters have had their revenge—winning all three clashes that followed. Now, with finals places on the line, the rivalry enters a new chapter at Suncorp Stadium.
Both teams are coming off wins and both will feel they’ve done enough to deserve a spot in September, but only one can walk away from this Round 23 blockbuster with confidence intact. The loser? They’ll be staring down a tense finish to the regular season.
The playmaking battle between Isaiya Katoa and Sam Walker promises to light up the night, while fullbacks Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and James Tedesco bring X-factor and experience in spades. When the pressure’s on, these two know how to rise.
The Dolphins will have to navigate a couple of key changes, with Herbie Farnworth sidelined by a hamstring injury. Young gun Tevita Naufahu moves into the centres after recent appearances on the wing, while veteran Mark Nicholls steps in at prop for the suspended Felise Kaufusi. Kulikefu Finefuiaki also makes his return from a thumb injury, adding some much-needed punch off the bench.
Expect fireworks, desperation, and a finals-like intensity as two proud clubs go to war in Brisbane. This one’s more than just two points—it’s a shot at survival.
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Max Feagai 4. Tevita Naufahu, 5. Jake Averillo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Oryn Keeley, 13. Kurt Donoghoe 14. Ray Stone 15. Aublix Tawha 16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki , 17. Josh Kerr 18. Harrison Graham 19. Peter Hola 20. LJ Nonu 21. Kenny Bromwich, 22. Trai Fuller
Out: Herbie Farnworth (centre), Felise Kaufusi (front row)
In: Tevita Naufahu (centre), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (bench)
Changes: Mark Nicholls (bench to front row)
Roosters Hold Steady as High-Stakes Showdown Looms
In a week where every selection carries weight, Trent Robinson has opted for stability. The Roosters mentor has named the same 17 that handled Manly with authority in Round 22, backing consistency in a game that could make or break their finals push.
Victor Radley and Connor Watson have been promoted to the starting side after injecting energy off the bench last week, a move that speaks to Robinson’s trust in their ability to set the tone early. Their inclusion in the run-on side adds a layer of aggression and creativity that could prove vital against a Dolphins outfit hungry to defend their turf.
Benaiah Ioelu and Spencer Leniu shift to the bench, but with so much riding on this clash, fans should expect anything but a rigid game plan. Robinson has shown time and again he’s not afraid to pull the trigger on late positional switches if momentum calls for it.
With finals places hanging in the balance and the Cauldron sure to be rocking, the Roosters will need to be sharp, adaptable, and ruthless from the outset.
Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte, 9. Connor Watson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong, 13. Victor Radley 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Egan Butcher 16. Salesi Foketi , 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Ethan King 19. Blake Steep 20. Sandon Smith , 21. Makahesi Makatoa 22. Zach Dockar-Clay
Changes: Benaiah Ioelu (hooker to bench), Spencer Leniu (lock to bench), Connor Watson (bench to hooker), Victor Radley (bench to lock)
Key Stats
The Dolphins have won five of their last seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
The Roosters have scored 106 points in three consecutive wins against the Dolphins.
Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 14 tries in his last seven games at Suncorp.
Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored seven tries in his last six games.
The Dolphins have scored over 40 points in five of their last eight games.
High Stakes in Brisbane: Dolphins and Roosters Battle for Finals Survival
When it comes to finals ramifications, they don’t get much bigger than this.
With spots in the bottom half of the top eight up for grabs, both the Dolphins and Roosters enter Saturday’s showdown knowing that anything less than a win could see their finals dreams slip through their fingers.
The Dolphins arrive full of belief after snatching a dramatic last-minute victory over the Warriors in Auckland—a gutsy win that showed this side still has plenty of fight left in it. Now, back at Suncorp Stadium and with the crowd behind them, Wayne Bennett’s men are primed for another statement performance.
Meanwhile, the Roosters made light work of the Sea Eagles in soggy conditions at Brookvale, proving they’re more than capable of handling pressure—and the elements—when it counts.
But with Kodi Nikorima returning and looking sharp, the Dolphins may just have the edge in this must-win clash. His presence adds a layer of creativity and calm that could prove decisive as the tension rises.
Of course, in a game of this magnitude, fans on both sides will be holding their breath—not just for every play, but for every call. After a season riddled with contentious decisions, all anyone’s hoping for is that the Bunker stays quiet and the result is decided on the field, not in review.
Match Officials
Referees, Gerard Sutton, Touch Judges, Chris Sutton, Tyson Brough, Bunker, Grant Atkins.
Bulldogs v Warriors
Accor Stadium, Sydney,7.35pm.
Backs to the Wall: Bulldogs Look to Reignite Their Bite Against the Warriors
The Bulldogs were flying high earlier this season, racing to an 11-2 record by Round 15 and staking a serious claim as premiership contenders. But since their Round 16 bye, the blue and whites have hit a speed bump—going 3-3 and most recently stumbling in a shock loss to the struggling Wests Tigers.
Still, there’s no sign of panic at Belmore. Head coach Cameron Ciraldo is backing his troops to bounce back, naming the same 17 that fell short last weekend for what now looms as a crucial bounce-back clash against the Warriors at Accor Stadium.
It’s a matchup the Bulldogs have recent success in. They did the double over the Wahs in 2024, including a heart-stopping 13-12 win in their last meeting, sealed by a clutch Matt Burton field goal in golden point. And as finals pressure mounts, the booming left boot of the Bulldogs’ No.6 will again be central to their game plan—pinning the Warriors deep and forcing them to grind their way out of trouble.
All eyes will also be on young halfback Lachlan Galvin, who’s been named to start despite carrying hand and ankle niggles. He may need painkilling injections to take the field, and with Toby Sexton waiting in the wings as part of the extended squad, a late switch remains on the cards.
With a vocal home crowd expected and their top-four hopes still alive, the Bulldogs know they can’t afford another misstep. It’s time to bite back.
Bulldogs
1. Jacob Kiraz 2. Jethro Rinakama 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Enari Tuala 6. Matt Burton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney , 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon, 14. Kurt Mann 15. Harry Hayes 16. Josh Curran 17. Bailey Hayward 19. Mitchell Woods , 20. Blake Wilson 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Toby Sexton
Unchanged.
Cracks in the Fortress: Warriors Under Pressure as Panthers Close the Gap
For much of the 2025 season, the Warriors looked like a lock inside the top four—entrenched since Round 7 and riding high on a wave of belief. But the past fortnight has brought a rude awakening.
Shock losses to the Titans and Dolphins—games they were heavily favoured to win—have suddenly left Andrew Webster’s men vulnerable, with the resurgent Panthers breathing down their necks. Now sitting on 30 competition points with a 12-7 record, the Warriors have just a single point’s buffer from Penrith, who have stormed back into contention with eight consecutive wins after a sluggish start to the season.
In a bid to steady the ship, the Warriors welcome back key playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita from a calf injury. He slots into the No.6 jersey, pushing Te Maire Martin back to the interchange. Also looming as a potential boost is veteran enforcer James Fisher-Harris, who has been named in the extended squad as he eyes a return from a calf complaint of his own.
LATE,LARE,MAIL. The Warriors made a late change to their starting line-up on Saturday, with halfback Tanah Boyd demoted to the New South Wales Cup side. Te Maire Martin was his likely replacement in the halves and Freddy Lussick the potential addition to the bench. Boyd has only been average for some time and this is desperate times for the Warriors, who are in danger of slipping out of the top eight.
There’s more good news up front with prop Demitric Vaimauga returning from a knee injury, but it’s not all smooth sailing. Bench forward Jacob Laban (leg) and crafty hooker Wayde Egan (shoulder) have both been ruled out indefinitely, leaving significant holes in the Warriors’ middle rotation.
With finals fast approaching and their top-four status under threat, the Warriors need to rediscover their edge—because the Panthers are coming, and there’s no room left for error.
Warriors
1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Marata Niukore 9. Samuel Healey 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Eddie Ieremia , 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Freddy Lussick , 21. Edward Kosi 22. Kayliss Fatialofa 23. James Fisher-Harris 25. Bunty Afoa
Out: Jacob Laban (bench), Freddy Lussick (bench to reserve)
In: Chanel Harris-Tavita (five-eighth), Demitric Vaimauga (bench)
Changes: Te Maire Martin (five-eighth to bench)
Key Stats
The Bulldogs have won only two of their past eight games against the Warriors.
The Warriors have won four of their last five games at Accor Stadium.
The Bulldogs have won seven from nine at home this season.
Warriors second-rower Leka Halasima has scored seven tries in his last eight games.
Bulldogs fullback Jacob Kiraz has scored four tries in his last three games.
Rain, Regret, and Redemption: Bulldogs Brace for a Stormy Showdown
Last week, the Bulldogs found themselves caught in more than just the rain — they were caught off guard. Against a determined Tigers outfit and under gloomy, slippery skies, they let slip a match that was theirs for the taking. It was a loss that stung not just because of the scoreboard, but because of what it said about their consistency.
Now, as they look to steady the ship, the road ahead offers little comfort. Up next: the Warriors, a side currently licking their wounds after back-to-back losses, and no doubt eager to get back on track. But the Bulldogs can’t afford to dwell on their last outing — the stakes are rising, and so are the clouds.
The forecast for Sydney? More rain. More mud. More mayhem. And as if the conditions weren’t already testing enough, this crucial clash will be officiated by a referee whose recent performances have drawn heavy criticism — hardly ideal for a match that could define the Bulldogs’ run home.
The question now is simple: can the Bulldogs weather the storm — both literal and figurative?
Match Officials
Referees, Adam Gee, Touch Judges, Kieren Irons, Drew Oultram, Bunker, Matt Noyen.
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