SUNDAY, JULY 27th, 2025.
I just watched the Warriors v Titans game and what a load of rubbish from the Warriors. I have been waiting on the bubble to burst for a while, and although they got away with a miracle last week, not so this week. They barely contested any kicks, kick offs were terrible, Nobody put any pressure on Campbell when he kicked for the Titans, most of the carries were one offs. Tanah Boyd is not up to NRL standard. Easy for the Titans to defend. LIKE REALLY AMATEUR FOR A TOP FOUR SIDE PLAYING THE LAST PLACED TEAM.. There season is cooked. Mine you Gerard Sutton was poor as well.
Raiders v Knights
GIO Stadium, Canberra,2pm.
Raiders Eye History as Knights Brace for GIO Stadium Storm
The scent of history hangs in the winter air of Canberra, and on Sunday afternoon, the Raiders will charge onto GIO Stadium with more than just two competition points on their minds—they’re chasing a legacy 35 years in the making.
Perched at the top of the NRL ladder, Ricky Stuart’s green machine holds a slender two-point lead over the surging Bulldogs. But with the minor premiership within reach for the first time since 1990, this round offers yet another golden opportunity to tighten their grip on top spot.
Home has been a fortress in 2025, with Canberra claiming victory in seven of their eight appearances at GIO Stadium. Now, they welcome a desperate Newcastle side fighting to keep their season alive—an uphill battle against one of the NRL’s most consistent and determined outfits.
The Raiders will be forced into a reshuffle, with Seb Kris ruled out due to concussion protocols. In his absence, Simi Sasagi slots into the centres while young gun Noah Martin earns a place on the bench, adding fresh energy to a team with their sights firmly set on September—and perhaps, something even greater.
Raiders
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Simi Sasagi, 5. Xavier Savage 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. Noah Martin 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota, 18. Manaia Waitere 19. Trey Mooney 20. Joseph Roddy 21. Danny Levi 22. Ethan Sanders
Out: Sebastian Kris (centre)
In: Noah Martin (bench)
Changes: Simi Sasagi (bench to centre)
Finals on the Line: Raiders Chase History, Knights Fight for Survival in Canberra Showdown
For the Newcastle Knights, last weekend’s clash against the Warriors ended in heartbreak—a try conceded on the final play snatching victory from their grasp and leaving their finals dreams teetering on the edge.
Now stranded in 14th place and running out of time, the Knights arrive in Canberra knowing a win is non-negotiable. Their season hangs in the balance, and though the challenge ahead is immense, there’s one glimmer of hope they can cling to: they’ve done it before.
Just last year, Newcastle stunned the Raiders on their home turf, and that memory might be the spark they need to reignite their campaign. Jack Hetherington returns to the fold via the interchange bench after four games in the NSW Cup, with Thomas Cant sliding to 18th man. Brodie Jones, absent last week due to illness, has been named in the reserves and remains a chance for a late inclusion.
Desperation fuels belief—and if the Knights are to keep their finals flame flickering, they’ll need every ounce of it to overcome a Raiders side marching toward their moment in the sun.
Knights
1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Leo Thompson 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland, 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Jack Hetherington , 18. Thomas Cant 19. James Schiller 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Brodie Jones 22. Kyle McCarthy
Out: Thomas Cant (bench to reserve)
In: Jack Hetherington (bench)
Key Stats
The Raiders have won seven from eight at GIO Stadium this season.
The Knights have won four of their past six games against the Raiders.
Raiders winger Xavier Savage has scored 10 tries in his last 11 games at GIO Stadium.
The Knights have won three of their past four away games.
Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange has scored five tries in his last six games.
Canberra Calling: Raiders March Toward History as Desperate Knights Look to Defy the Odds
The scent of history hangs in the winter air of Canberra, and on Sunday afternoon, the Raiders will charge onto GIO Stadium with more than just two competition points on their minds—they’re chasing a legacy 35 years in the making.
Perched at the top of the NRL ladder, Ricky Stuart’s green machine holds a slender two-point lead over the surging Bulldogs. But with the minor premiership within reach for the first time since 1990, this round offers yet another golden opportunity to tighten their grip on top spot.
Last weekend, the Raiders took their time to warm up against the Eels—languid in the first half, then lethal in the second. It was a reminder of this side’s ability to switch gears and apply pressure when it matters most, especially at home, where they’ve won seven of eight in 2025.
For the Newcastle Knights, the pain of their collapse against the Warriors still lingers. They were the better side for most of the match, but a string of bombed tries—and a heart-breaking four-pointer conceded on the final play—left them empty-handed once again.
Sitting 14th on the ladder, the Knights arrive in Canberra with everything on the line. Recent history gives them a flicker of hope—they beat the Raiders at GIO Stadium just last year—but the odds are steep. Jack Hetherington has been recalled to the interchange after a stint in the NSW Cup, with Thomas Cant sliding to 18th man. Brodie Jones, who missed the Warriors clash due to illness, could be a late inclusion from the reserves.
The Knights will fight—they always do—but it’s hard to see them toppling a Canberra side this focused, this hungry, and this close to history. Raiders by 15.
Match Officials
Referees, Wyatt Raymond, Touch Judges, Matt Noyen, Phil Henderson, Bunker, Grant Atkins.
Bulldogs v Manly
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 4.05pm.
Late-Game Heroes Set the Stage for Bulldogs-Dragons Blockbuster in Round 21 Finale
Two teams riding the high of dramatic Round 20 victories are set to collide in a tantalising showdown to wrap up Round 21.
For the Bulldogs, it was a heart-stopping finish that kept their top-four dreams alive. Locked in a fierce arm-wrestle with the Dragons, it took a moment of brilliance from rising star Jethro Rinakama to break the deadlock. With time slipping away and nerves at a premium, the young winger soared over for his second try in as many weeks—sealing a gritty 20-18 win and further cementing his place as one of the NRL’s breakout performers of 2025.
Bulldogs
1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 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. Jethro Rinakama 20. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 21. Blake Wilson 22. Kurtis Morrin 23. Toby Sexton
Out: Sitili Tupouniua (bench), Ratu Rinakama (wing to reserve)
In: Bronson Xerri (centre), Samuel Hughes (front row)
Changes: Enari Tuala (centre to wing), Josh Curran (front row to bench)
Sea Eagles Soar Back Into Top Eight After Storm Scare — Reinforcements Return for Round 21
The Sea Eagles surged back into the top eight with a gritty Round 20 win that showed both dominance and resilience. After putting the Melbourne Storm to the sword in a blistering first half, they were forced to dig deep as the visitors mounted a fierce second-half comeback.
In the end, it was Reuben Garrick who proved the difference. While he missed two conversions, the ever-reliable winger nailed two clutch penalty goals—including the match-winner in the 79th minute—and crossed for a try to tally 10 personal points in a tense 18-16 victory.
Manly now welcomes some key reinforcements ahead of Round 21. Bronson Xerri returns from a groin injury to reclaim his spot in the centres, pushing Enari Tuala out to the wing and Jethro Rinakama out of the squad. In the forward pack, Sam Hughes comes back in at prop, allowing Josh Curran to shift to the bench to help cover the absence of Sitili Tupouniua, who is sidelined with a hamstring issue.
There’s more good news for the Sea Eagles faithful—star back-rower Haumole Olakau’atu has been named to return from a shoulder injury. His inclusion sees Corey Waddell move to the bench and Tommy Talau slide to 18th man. Meanwhile, Jake Simpkin has also been named to play despite leaving last week’s match following a head injury assessment.
With their finals push gaining traction and key troops returning to the fold, the Sea Eagles are shaping as a side no one will want to face in the run home.
Manly
1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic, 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge, 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic , 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor, 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Tommy Talau 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Caleb Navale, 21. Joey Walsh 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
In: Haumole Olakau’atu (second row)
Changes: Corey Waddell (second row to bench)
Key Stats
The Bulldogs are chasing their 1000th win since the club’s inception in 1935.
The Sea Eagles have won 11 of their past 12 games against the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs will play at the new Allianz Stadium for the first time.
Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has scored six tries in seven games against the Sea Eagles.
Turning the Tide? Sea Eagles Aim to Ride Storm Momentum in Bulldogs Battle
Two teams with very different Round 20 storylines collide this weekend in what looms as a crucial clash for the finals race.
The Bulldogs escaped by the skin of their teeth against the Dragons, relying on late heroics from Jethro Rinakama to scrape home 20-18. While promising youngster Lachlan Galvin showed flashes of control in the No. 7 jersey, it also became clear that Canterbury’s attacking woes run deeper than just the halfback role. The Bulldogs remain a tough side to crack—but their inability to build consistent pressure in good-ball sets continues to raise concerns.
Meanwhile, the Sea Eagles headed south and stunned the heavily favoured Storm in Melbourne. After a dominant first half and a nervy second, it was Reuben Garrick who came up clutch, slotting a late penalty to seal an 18-16 victory that pushed Manly back into the top eight. For a team that’s been hot and cold all season, it felt like a potential turning point.
Manly will take confidence from that performance—and with key players like Bronson Xerri, Haumole Olakau’atu, and Sam Hughes returning, the side looks more balanced than it has in weeks. The question is: can they back it up?
Against a Bulldogs team clinging to the top-four race but still searching for fluency, this feels like a game the Sea Eagles can steal. It won’t be easy, and it won’t be pretty—but with momentum and belief on their side, Manly just might sneak home.
Prediction: Sea Eagles by 1.
Match Officials
Referees, Ashley Klein, Touch Judges, David Munro, Drew Oultram, Bunker, Chris Butler.
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