Bumper Bulldogs boost as mind games begin with skipper named, axed star recalled: NRL Finals Teams

The second week of finals is here and there’s two enthralling finals clashes lined up for Saturday and Sunday.

The Bulldogs have received a huge boost, with skipper Stephen Crichton named on the extended bench, meaning he is a chance to take the field on Sunday.

Meanwhile, a familar face returns to the bench under Cameron Ciraldo.

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SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19

Canberra Raiders vs. Cronulla Sharks at GIO Stadium, 7.50pm AEST

Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes

2. Savelio Tamale

3. Matthew Timoko

4. Sebastian Kris

5. Jed Stuart

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. Simi Sasagi

16. Morgan Smithies

17. Ata Mariota

18. Matt Nicholson

19. Danny Levi

20. Trey Mooney

21. Ethan Sanders

22. Chevy Stewart

Analysis: The Raiders have not made any changes to the side that went down to the Broncos in one of the best rugby league clashes in recent memory on Sunday. But while Canberra got through the game physically, there will be doubts over whether they can rebound mentally from such a heartbreaking defeat, and the emotional toll it would have taken on them. Not only did the Raiders squander a 28-12 lead with 15 minutes remaining to lose 29-28 in a 93-minute epic, but they also thought they had the game won twice. The Raiders appeared to have won 28-26 at the end of regular time, with no time left on the clock and the game seemingly over. But the Broncos were awarded a penalty under the posts after contact was made on the leg of Reece Walsh as he attempted a two-point field goal. Walsh slotted the penalty goal to send the game to extra-time. Then once the game got to golden point, it looked as though Jamal Fogarty had won the game with a try, but it was disallowed after there was found to be a knock on by the Raiders in the contest for the ball in the lead up. Coach Ricky Stuart will need to draw on all his experience as a player and a coach to get his team in the right frame of mind for this clash against the Sharks.

Sharks: 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

16. Oregon Kaufusi

17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

18. Daniel Atkinson

19. Mawene Hiroti

20. Jayden Berrell

21. Thomas Hazelton

22. Hohepa Puru

Analysis: The Sharks have not made any changes to their side after downing the Roosters. Craig Fitzgibbon could be set for a big boost with Tom Hazelton named on the extended bench as he eyes a return. Hazelton missed the elimination final win over the Roosters with a knee injury. He’s been restricted to just 12 games in 2025. The knee injury comes after the 26-year-old was sidelined for a huge chunk of the season after he had surgery on a sternoclavicular joint injury (collarbone joint injury) he suffered way back in Round 10. Since Hazelton returned from that injury in Round 22, he has come off the bench and played limited minutes. If he is to be a late inclusion for the clash against the Raiders, it would likely be in that sort of a role.

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SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs. Penrith Panthers at Accor Stadium, 4:05pm AEST

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey

2. Jacob Kiraz

3. Bronson Xerri

4. Matt Burton

5. Jethro Rinakama

6. Lachlan Galvin

7. Toby Sexton

8. Max King

9. Bailey Hayward

10. Josh Curran

11. Viliame Kikau

12. Jacob Preston

13. Jaeman Salmon

14. Kurt Mann

15. Sitili Tupouniua

16. Harry Hayes

17. Reed Mahoney

19. Blake Wilson

20. Jake Turpin

21. Samuel Hughes

22. Marcelo Montoya

23. Stephen Crichton

Analysis: Remarkably, the Bulldogs have named captain Stephen Crichton in the reserves in jersey number 23. If Crichton takes the field against his former club, it would be a stunning recovery after it appeared his season was over after suffering an ankle injury in the qualifying final loss to the Storm. It’s a huge boost for Bulldogs fans, who are expected to pack into Accor Stadium on Sunday with a crowd of 70,000 predicted. With Crichton not named in the 17, Matt Burton shifts into the centres to fill the vacancy. That means Lachlan Galvin has been selected at five-eighth, replacing Burton, with Toby Sexton named to start at halfback for the first time since Round 19, when the Bulldogs beat the Cowboys 12-8 in Townsville. If Crichton is a late inclusion and takes the field in the centres, it’s unclear how that will impact on the make-up of the team. Bronson Xerri is back in centres after missing the loss to the Storm due to concussion, while Reed Mahoney returns to the team on the interchange. Winger Marcelo Montoya has been named in the reserves as he eyes a return from an ankle injury. Centre Enari Tuala suffered a fractured leg against the Storm and is out of the squad for this game.

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards

2. Paul Alamoti

3. Izack Tago

4. Casey McLean

5. Brian To’o

6. Blaize Talagi

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Moses Leota

9. Luke Sommerton

10. Lindsay Smith

11. Scott Sorensen

12. Liam Martin

13. Isaah Yeo

14. Brad Schneider

15. Liam Henry

16. Isaiah Papali’i

17. Luke Garner

18. Thomas Jenkins

19. Matt Eisenhuth

20. Daine Laurie

21. Mavrik Geyer

22. Mitch Kenny

Analysis: The Panthers have named the same 17 that beat the Warriors on their home turf last weekend. In what shapes as a big boost, Mitch Kenny has been named on the extended bench after sitting out due to a hamstring injury and will look to prove his fitness to return against the Bulldogs. Tom Jenkins remains 18th man.