By Tom Decent
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NRL 2025 LIVE updates: Raiders host Sharks in sudden death finals blockbuster
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NRL 2025 LIVE updates: Raiders host Sharks in sudden death finals blockbuster
By Tom Decent
Updated September 20, 2025 — 7.59pmfirst published at 7.19pm
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Rudolf knocks on and gives away a penalty
The Raiders get inside the Sharks’ 10-metre area for the first time of the evening but some sloppy passing and early nerves see them turn the ball over. Halfback Fogarty not having a great start for the Raiders.
Oh dear. Toby Rudolf coughs up the footy as the Sharks get into the Raiders’ end. Certainly not a classic at this stage.
Josh Papalii has been busy early with ball in hand.
Rudolf also concedes a penalty. Catches Tom Starling high. Not ideal for the visitors.
0-0 after eight minutes
Braydon Trindall. Credit: Getty Images
Canberra start strongly
Canberra with the first set of the evening as Fogarty kicks in tackle five to Will Kennedy down in back play.
Braydon Trindall’s kick goes dead. Seven tackle set. Not ideal as Canberra now win a penalty and march up the field.
0-0 after three minutes
We’re under way in Canberra
Boom. Let’s go.
Who have I got? Sharks to cause a boilover with the minor premiers out in straight sets. Imagine … given the circumstances last week against Brisbane.
The winner will play Melbourne next week in a preliminary final.
Nicho Hynes warms up. Credit: Getty Images
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Stuart addresses Strange’s illness
Not long until kick-off
GIO Stadium in all its glory. Credit: Getty Images
Ata Mariota of the Raiders ahead of kick-off. Credit: Getty Images
When you’re the NRL’s ugly ducklings, you should use it to your advantage
By Dan Walsh
This weekend’s NRL semi-finals – Canberra hosting Cronulla on the Saturday and Canterbury and Penrith a day later – is rugby league’s great case study of the haves and have-nots.
Between them, the Bulldogs and Panthers boast truckloads of juniors, star power, premierships, and poker machines to make all of the above happen.
Those genuine NRL powerhouses have worked for and earned everything they have.
Historically, the Raiders and Sharks have done the same with far less, and with a chip on their shoulder.
Ricky Stuart loves it. Craig Fitzgibbon is learning to.
With premiership heavyweights Brisbane and Melbourne making up the rest of this year’s finals series, Canberra and Cronulla are the NRL’s ugly ducklings making good with significantly less to work with. Albeit from opposite corners.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Coaching with a chip on their shoulder: Craig Fitzgibbon and Ricky Stuart.Credit: Stephen Kiprillis
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Raiders lose young star Ethan Strange for semi-final clash with Sharks
By Christian Nicolussi
A bit of news ahead of the big game.
Canberra have been dealt a big blow ahead of Saturday night’s semi-final against Cronulla with star five-eighth Ethan Strange ruled out with illness.
Strange has battled the flu all week, and despite completing Friday’s captain’s run, his condition deteriorated overnight.
The club doctor spoke with Strange first thing Saturday and the decision was made to rule him out.
Simi Sasagi will move into the halves alongside Jamal Fogarty, while the Raiders had to seek approval from the NRL to bring Matty Nicholson on to the bench.
Also, as per the Sharks: “Tom Hazelton is set to return after missing the match against the Roosters last weekend. Hazelton was sidelined with cellulitis however after a strong week on the training field has been deemed fit to return, with the rangy prop forward coming onto the Sharks interchange bench.
“With the return of Hazelton, Oregon Kaufusi will be 18th man in the only change to the Sharks lineup which impressed in beating the Roosters 20-10 in week one of the finals.”
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Raiders star Ethan Strange won’t feature tonight. Credit: Getty Images
Who do you think gets the job done?
Hello and welcome
G’day footy fans.
Welcome to our live coverage of tonight’s blockbuster between the Raiders and Sharks in the nation’s capital. It’s Tom Decent here in the Maroubra bureau and I’m absolutely pumped for it.
Can the Raiders get good for it after last week’s thriller with Brisbane? Are the Sharks really up to it this year?
All will be revealed over the coming few hours. Buckle up. Kick-off is at 7.50pm.
Raiders prop Joseph Tapine.Credit: Getty Images
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