Can the Raiders pick themselves up from the despair of Sunday's loss to the Broncos or will the Sharks continue their charge towards a first premiership since 2016?
An intriguing battle looms in Canberra between one side on a high after coming through an elimination final and another side deflated by a golden point loss in a game they looked to have in their keeping at 28-12.
The Raiders certainly have the weapons to pile on plenty of points and when their attack clicks into gear they can be unstoppable.
The Sharks will be more methodical in their approach with Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall looking to control proceedings off the back of a powerhouse pack led by Addin Fonua-Blake.
The last time these sides met in a final was the COVID affected 2020 season when only 9000 fans were permitted at GIO Stadium to witness a 32-20 Raiders victory.
A vastly different atmosphere will prevail this weekend with the 'house full' sign sure to go up early as the minor premiers look to avoid the ignominy of going out in 'straight sets'.
Match: Raiders v Sharks
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Raiders
1st Position
away Team
Sharks
5th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Raiders: No changes to the side that went down to the Broncos in a 94-minute epic last Sunday. Englishman Matty Nicholson is again listed as 18th man. Five-eighth Ethan Strange will look to continue a hot streak that has seen him score six tries in his last four games.
Sharks: Prop Tom Hazelton is listed among the reserves as he looks to return from the knee injury that kept him out of the win over the Roosters. No changes at this stage to the squad with Dan Atkinson again the 18th man.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo WeekesFullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio TamaleWinger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian KrisCentre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jed StuartWinger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas Hynes
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom StarlingHooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Sharks is number 10 Toby Rudolf
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Billy Burns
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey HorsburghLock for Sharks is number 13 Jesse Colquhoun
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Owen PattieInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Briton Nikora
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Simi SasagiInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Morgan SmithiesInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata MariotaInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele
Reserves
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Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Matty NicholsonReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Daniel Atkinson
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Reserve for Raiders is number 19 Danny LeviReserve for Sharks is number 19 Mawene Hiroti
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Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Trey MooneyReserve for Sharks is number 20 Jayden Berrell
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Reserve for Raiders is number 21 Ethan SandersReserve for Sharks is number 21 Thomas Hazelton
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Reserve for Raiders is number 22 Chevy StewartReserve for Sharks is number 22 Hohepa Puru
Raiders Ins
- Chevy Stewart
- Danny Levi
- Ethan Sanders
- Trey Mooney
Sharks Ins
- Hohepa Puru
- Jayden Berrell
- Mawene Hiroti
- Thomas Hazelton
Raiders Outs
Sharks Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Raiders have won only one of their last five finals games.
- The Sharks have won only one of their last six games at GIO Stadium.
- The Raiders have scored 24 points or more in their last eight games at GIO Stadium.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored six tries in eight finals games.
- Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange has scored six tries in his last four games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
