Friday feast: Raiders v Storm; Dolphins v Panthers
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Can the Raiders carry on their Perth form to inflict more pain on the spluttering Storm?
Can the Panthers bounce back from their first defeat of the season or will the Dolphins come out firing after their bye?
Canberra's win over the Rabbitohs was just their second of the season and the 2025 minor premiers need to make a statement in front of the Green Machine faithful after home losses to the Bulldogs and Sharks in Round 3 and 4.
The Dolphins have also won just the two games in 2026 and are coming off a humiliating home loss to the Sea Eagles before the bye.
Follow all the action from Round 7 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com's live blog.
Raiders v Storm at GIO Stadium
Match: Raiders v Storm
Round 7 -
home Team
Raiders
15th Position
away Team
Storm
13th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Late Mail
Raiders: Josh Papalii and Noah Martin have moved to the bench 90 minutes before kick-off as they did last week with Ata Mariota and Zac Hosking starting the game. Centre Matt Timoko is set for his first match since Round 2 as Ricky Stuart rejigs his backline for Friday night's clash. Seb Kris moves to the wing as a result and Savelio Tamale has dropped back to the reserves.
Storm: A late switch with Manaia Watere moving to centre and Nick Meaney switching to the right wing. No other changes to the starting side as Melbourne battle to avoid five-straight losses for the first time since 2012. Shawn Blore is part of the bench as he chases his first NRL appearance of the season after three games in NSW Cup.
Last time they met: Raiders v Storm
Numbers Game
- The Raiders have not defeated the Storm at GIO Stadium since 2016.
- The Storm are aiming to avoid five straight defeats for the first time in 14 years.
- Storm centre Nick Meaney will make his 100th appearance for the club.
- The Raiders have conceded 32 points or more in their last three game.
Dolphins v Panthers
Match: Dolphins v Panthers
Round 7 -
home Team
Dolphins
12th Position
away Team
Panthers
1st Position
Venue: TIO Stadium, Darwin
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Numbers Game
- Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored six tries in three games against the Panthers.
- Panthers prop Moses Leota has scored a try in all three games against the Dolphins.
- Dolphins centre Jake Averillo has scored seven tries in his last six NRL games.
- Panthers centre Izack Tago will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako requires three points for 800 points for the club.
