We kick off Friday night footy with an emotion-charged night at GIO Stadium as Raiders legend Josh Papalii plays his final home game before we head to Suncorp Stadium where the high-flying Dolphins host the Eels.
In honour of their most capped player, the Raiders have renamed their stadium 'Papa's House' for the occasion and a massive crowd will be on hand to cheer them on against last year's premiers Brisbane.
The Broncos' title defence has lurched from one nightmare to another but pride in the jersey ensures they will dig deep to try and spoil Papa's party and move well clear of the wooden spoon zone.
No such drama for the Dolphins who are headed for their first ever finals series and get a chance to solidify fourth spot with a win over the enigmatic Eels.
Coming in hot after upsetting the Cowboys, Mitch Moses and his men can never be underestimated and a high-scoring shootout is on the cards at The Cauldron.
Follow all the action from Round 25 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com's live blog.
Raiders v Broncos at GIO Stadium
Match: Raiders v Broncos
Round 25 -
home Team
Raiders
12th Position
away Team
Broncos
16th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
27 min: Explosive speed from Ezra Mam to grab his eighth try of the season as Billy Walters continues to create havoc with his ball-play. Mam slices his way through and strolls around Kaeo Weekes to score. Hayze Perham adds the extras. 12-12
24 min: The Broncos go down a man after Pat Carrigan is sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle.
23 min: The Raiders come up with one of the tries of the season as Ethan Sanders chooses to run on the last and gets a pass away as he goes to the ground. Owen Pattie kicks across field and Xavier Savage taps the ball back to Kaeo Weekes who sends a long ball to Sanders who turns Ata Mariota underneath him and the back-rower carries Payne Haas over the line to score. Sanders converts. Raiders 12-6
19 min: A penalty against Pat Carrigan for a strip has the Broncos under the pump but Josiah Karapani comes up with a big defensive play to shut down Xavier Savage and the ball is turned over.
17 min: The Raiders go right through Ethan Sanders and Ethan Strange before Kaeo Weekes chimes in from fullback and sends it on to Simi Sasagi who puts on some sweet footwork before sending it back inside for Weekes to cross. Sanders converts. 6-6
12 min: Ata Mariota goes close on the last tackle but the Broncos do enough to hold him up and they come out of trouble.
11 min: The Broncos fail to get to their kick on the set after points as Jaiyden Hunt comes up with a cold drop.
Billy Walters Try
9 min: The perfect start for the Broncos as Billy Walters takes off out of dummy half from 10 metres out and leaves Matty Nicholson in his wake to score next to the posts. Hayze Perham converts. Broncos 6-0
8 min: A bomb spills back to Pat Carrigan who sends it to Grant Anderson who grubbers into the in-goal to force a line dropout.
7 min: Ethan Sanders goes to the air and Hayze Perham comes up with a safe catch.
5 min: The Broncos squander their opportunity as Xavier Willison makes a mess of playing the ball.
4 min: An error from Jed Stuart under a high ball and the Broncos go inside the red zone early.
1 min: A huge roar around GIO Stadium as Josh Papalii takes the fourth hit-up of the match.
Late Mail
Raiders: The Raiders are 1-19 with no late changes at 'Papa's House'. Centre Simi Sasagi is back from a shoulder injury while Papalii has been promoted to the starting side at in his final home game for the Raiders. Canberra have scored an average of 35 points in their last four games at home.
Broncos: The Broncos line up 1-19. Hayze Perham will play his fifth NRL game of the season as he takes over at fullback from Reece Walsh (syndesmosis). Veteran Ben Hunt will start at halfback for the first time since Round 18 with youngster Tom Duffy moved to the bench.
Numbers Game
- The Raiders have scored an average of 35 points in their last four games at GIO Stadium.
- The Broncos have won four of their last six games against the Raiders.
- Raiders winger Jed Stuart has scored five tries in his last five games.
- Broncos second-rower Jack Gosiewski will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has won eight of his last nine games against Michael Maguire-coached sides.
Dolphins v Eels at Suncorp Stadiun
Match: Dolphins v Eels
Round 25 -
home Team
Dolphins
4th Position
away Team
Eels
13th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Dolphins v Eels: Round 25
Numbers Game
- The Dolphins have won their last seven games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 23 tries in 25 games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako has scored 10 tries in his last eight games at Suncorp.
- Eels hooker Tallyn Da Silva has scored four tries in his last three games.
- Dolphins winger Selwyn Cobbo will play his 100th NRL game.