Raiders v Sharks Semi Final preview

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Canberra Raiders v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Saturday 7:50pm at GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal

Running on empty with everything to play for

There are no more second chances in the 2025 NRL premiership race as the Canberra Raiders host the Cronulla Sharks in a do-or-die encounter on Saturday evening. 

Suffering the heartbreak of finishing on the wrong side of a 94-minute epic last Sunday, the Canberra Raiders will have to put aside what could have been in order to keep their premiership dream alive.

Going down to the Broncos in a 29-28 thriller decided in golden point, coach Ricky Stuart has kept the faith with his squad despite only introducing rookie hooker Owen Pattie into the action during the second period of extra time.

Dominating the Sharks in recent clashes with 10 wins from their past 13 meetings, the Raiders snatched a last-gasp victory, courtesy of a Sebastian Kris try, when the two sides faced off earlier this season.

Having gone well beyond 80 minutes in their last appearance, history shows the Raiders face an uphill battle with only one team - North Queensland in 2017 - going onto win the following week after playing an extra time final over the past decade.

The Raiders have hosted the Sharks at GIO Stadium three times previously in finals football, prevailing in the 2012 and 2020 Elimination Finals while going down in a Qualifying Final in 2016.

Defying their reputation in finals football with a performance that delivered big plays in big moments, the Cronulla Sharks will be buoyed with confidence to send their more glamorous opponents packing in straight sets. 

Riding a wave of home support to finish on the top of the Roosters in a 20-10 victory last Saturday, coach Craig Fitzgibbon has named the same 17 that did the job in the Elimination Final with prop Tom Hazelton listed among the reserves. 

Holding a lacklustre recent record in the nation's capital with one win from their past six visits, the Sharks haven't won a finals match outside of Sydney since 2016 when they fought back from an early 12-0 deficit to clinch a 16-14 win in Canberra.

The Raiders and Sharks have met seven times in finals football previously with the Sharks holding a slender 4-3 advantage.

The winner of Saturday's Semi Final between the Raiders and Sharks will face the Storm next Friday in a Preliminary Final at AAMI Park.

Last meeting: Round 5 2025 - Raiders 24 Sharks 20

Last Finals Meeting: Qualifying Final, 2020 - Canberra Raiders 32 Cronulla Sharks 20

Who to watch: Lining up for his final appearance at GIO Stadium on Saturday evening, Jamal Fogarty will be determined to ensure the occasion doesn't double as his final game for the Raiders. Going from ecstasy to agony during a pulsating golden point period in last week's loss to the Broncos, the 31-year-old halfback was unable to clinch the result despite several opportunities during and beyond regulation time. Playing a central role in leading the Green Machine to their first minor premiership in 35 years, look for Fogarty to put aside the disappointment of last week and stand tall as the Raiders strive to set up a preliminary final date in Melbourne.    

Having a decisive hand in getting the Sharks into the second week of the finals with a game-clinching play against the Roosters, acting captain Blayke Brailey will be looking to have a similar influence on Saturday evening. Enjoying a stellar year with the most try-assists of any hooker in the league, the newly re-signed number nine has been instrumental in saving his side's season with eight wins from their past nine matches. Scoring a try in his finals debut against the Raiders in Canberra five years ago, Brailey will fancy his chance of getting on the scoresheet or setting up his teammates to do the same.

Favourite:With 20 out of 26 teams bouncing back from a Qualifying Final loss with a Semi Final win since the revised finals system was implemented in 2012, the Raiders are expected to make the most of their second chance at home.

My tip:Few, if anybody, envisioned this final taking place. The Raiders were supposed to be preparing for a preliminary final and the Sharks were meant to be on Mad Monday. Only once in the NRL era have minor premiers gone out in straight sets, but if the events that have led to this fixture have taught us anything it's that the script can always be rewritten.  Sharks by 7.

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jed Stuart 15. Simi Sasagi 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 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota 18. Matt Nicholson 19. Ethan Sanders

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 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Daniel Atkinson

Referees: Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: Matt Noyen, David Munro; Video Referees: Chris Butler;