Official team lists, updates and injury news for the opening round of the 2025 Witzer Pre-Season Challenge.
Pre-Season Challenge Team Lists: Round 1
Sharks v Warriors, Friday 7.30pm at Shark Park
Match: Sharks v Warriors
Round 1 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
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Centre for Sharks is number 3 Mawene HirotiCentre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
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Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal IroCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
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Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel StonestreetWinger for Warriors is number 18 Edward Kosi
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Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Daniel AtkinsonFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
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Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Niwhai PuruHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Luke Metcalf
Forwards
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Prop for Sharks is number 8 Braden Hamlin-UeleProp for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
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Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Jayden BerrellHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Sharks is number 10 Thomas HazeltonProp for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Siosifa Talakai2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Billy Burns2nd Row for Warriors is number 15 Marata Niukore
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Lock for Sharks is number 13 Oregon KaufusiLock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
Interchange
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Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Hohepa PuruInterchange for Warriors is number 11 Jacob Laban
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Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Tuku Hau TapuhaInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Demitric Vaimauga
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Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Lachlan CrouchInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Moala Graham-Taufa
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Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Blake HoskingInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Sio Kali
Reserves
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Reserve for Sharks is number 18 Chris Vea'ilaReserve for Warriors is number 20 Luke Hanson
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Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Kyle PickeringReserve for Warriors is number 21 Jett Cleary
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Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Michael GabraelReserve for Warriors is number 22 Taine Tuaupiki
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Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Brad FearnleyReserve for Warriors is number 23 Daeon Amituanai
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Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Taj FordReserve for Warriors is number 24 Bunty Afoa
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Reserve for Sharks is number 23 Riley PollardReserve for Warriors is number 25 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
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Reserve for Sharks is number 24 Eli ClarkReserve for Warriors is number 26 Samuel Healey
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Reserve for Sharks is number 25 Kristian DixonReserve for Warriors is number 27 Dylan Walker
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Reserve for Sharks is number 26 Felix FaatiliReserve for Warriors is number 28 Tanner Stowers-Smith
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Reserve for Sharks is number 27 Samuel McCullochReserve for Warriors is number 29 Freddy Lussick
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Reserve for Warriors is number 30 Motu Pasikala
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Sharks: Star recruit Addin Fonua-Blake is being held back along with Nicho Hynes, Cam McInnes and Jesse Ramien but the Sharks have plenty of big names on show for their home fans. The backline features Will Kennedy, Sione Katoa and Kayal Iro, with youngster Niwhai Puru steering the ship at halfback as he chases an NRL debut in 2025. Braden Hamlin-Uele, Siosifa Talakai and Tom Hazelton get the chance to blow out the cobwebs in the forwards.
Warriors: Coach Andrew Webster is rolling out a host of his big guns including James Fisher-Harris, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell while Luke Metcalf gets first shot at the No.7 jersey vacated by the retirement of Shaun Johnson. He is partnered in the halves by Te Maire Martin, with Chanel Harris-Tavita and new signing Tanah Boyd not considered due to niggles. Plenty of interest will surround Nathan Cleary's younger brother Jett, who has been named among the interchange players alongside Bunty Afoa, Dylan Walker and Freddy Lussick.
Panthers v Raiders, Saturday 7.30pm at Shark Park
Match: Panthers v Raiders
Round 1 -
home Team
Panthers
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Daine LaurieFullback for Raiders is number 1 Chevy Stewart
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Winger for Panthers is number 2 Jesse McLeanWinger for Raiders is number 2 Michael Asomua
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Centre for Panthers is number 3 Sione FonuaCentre for Raiders is number 3 Albert Hopoate
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Centre for Panthers is number 4 Asu KepaoaCentre for Raiders is number 4 Manaia Waitere
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Winger for Panthers is number 5 Casey McLeanWinger for Raiders is number 5 Jed Stuart
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Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack ColeFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Adam Cook
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Brad SchneiderHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan Sanders
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 8 Luron PateaProp for Raiders is number 8 Jordan Martin
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Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Luke SommertonHooker for Raiders is number 22 Shaun Packer
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 Preston RikiProp for Raiders is number 10 Pasami Saulo
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Mavrik Geyer2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Simi Sasagi
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Matty Nicholson
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Lock for Panthers is number 14 Trent ToelauLock for Raiders is number 13 Myles Martin
Interchange
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Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Jakeb VailaloInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Ethan Alaia
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Interchange for Panthers is number 16 John SagagaInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Izaac Tu'itupou
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Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Zakauri ClarkeInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Regan Carr
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Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Zack LamontInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Mark Tuialii
Reserves
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Reserve for Panthers is number 19 Niko ApeluReserve for Raiders is number 9 Owen Pattie
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Reserve for Panthers is number 20 David FaleReserve for Raiders is number 18 Keahn Skipps
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Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Falefa LetoiReserve for Raiders is number 19 Jensen Taumoepeau
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Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Billy ScottReserve for Raiders is number 20 Jalen Afamasaga
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Reserve for Panthers is number 23 Jaxen EdgarReserve for Raiders is number 21 Peter Taateo
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Reserve for Panthers is number 24 Zac LipowiczReserve for Raiders is number 23 Jake Clydsdale
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Reserve for Panthers is number 25 Samuel LaneReserve for Raiders is number 24 Joe Roddy
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Reserve for Panthers is number 26 Billy PhillipsReserve for Raiders is number 25 Noah Martin
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Reserve for Panthers is number 27 Nick MurphyReserve for Raiders is number 26 Ata Mariota
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Reserve for Raiders is number 27 Mitchell Prest
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Reserve for Raiders is number 28 Jaxon Lavender
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Panthers: In a late change, Panthers lock Matthew Eisenhuth has been replaced in the starting line-up with Trent Toelau. Former Tiger Isaiah Papali'i makes his debut in Panthers colours alongside Mavrik Geyer in the back row. Brothers Casey and Jesse McLean get their chance to stake a claim for a backline spot in Ivan Cleary's best 17 while halves Jack Cole and Brad Schneider are also out to impress as they jostle for the No.6 jersey along with new recruit Blaize Talagi, who won't play this week. No members of the grand final winning side will take the field this week as they focus on recovery from off-season surgery and the build-up to Las Vegas.
Raiders: In a late swap, Shaun Packer will start the match at hooker, with Owen Pattie to come off the bench. New signing Ethan Sanders gets a chance to impress in the halves alongside Adam Cook while Chevy Stuart and Albert Hopoate bring the flair out wide. Lock Myles Martin and back-rower Matty Nicholson also wear the green jersey for the first time while Pasami Saulo and Jordan Martin line up in the front row. Former Rabbitoh Izaac Thompson is on a train and trial deal at the Raiders and has been listed on the bench along with development players Noah Martin, Joe Roddy, Peter Taateo and Jake Clydsdale.