Dolphins vs Raiders: Match Preview & Prediction
Sunday afternoon at Kayo Stadium could bring both celebration and heartbreak as the Dolphins face the Raiders in the final round of the regular season.
Depending on Friday night’s Roosters–Rabbitohs result, this clash may determine whether the NRL’s newest club reaches the finals for the very first time.
The Dolphins’ journey in 2025 has been anything but smooth. After a 0–4 start and an injury toll that stripped them of key stars like Herbie Farnworth, they’ve fought back bravely.
Last week’s win over the Titans offered a glimpse of the resilience that’s kept them in the hunt.
Farnworth’s possible return this weekend would be a huge boost, adding strike power to a backline already featuring Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jamayne Isaako.
The Dolphins’ attack, at its best, is quick and punishing, and with finals hopes hanging by a thread, there’s no holding back.
The Raiders, however, arrive with different priorities. Having already sealed the minor premiership, Ricky Stuart has opted to rest an extraordinary list of first-choice players, including Papalii, Tapine, Young, and their entire spine.
Corey Horsburgh takes the captaincy in a heavily rotated side, while youngsters like Chevy Stewart and Ethan Sanders get their chance to step up.
Canberra’s depth has carried them this far, but with so much talent sitting out, it’s hard to see them matching the intensity of a desperate Dolphins outfit.
Head-to-head history leans Canberra’s way, with three straight wins over the Dolphins, including a wild 40–28 comeback earlier this season.
But the circumstances now are very different: a near full-strength Dolphins against a second-string Raiders side, and the atmosphere in Redcliffe promising to be electric if finals are still on the line.
Dolphins vs Raiders : Best Odds
| 🏈 Bookmaker | ⚡ Dolphins Win | 💎 Raiders Win |
|---|---|---|
| 🏈 Betway | 1.26 | 3.90 |
| 🏈 Bet365 | 1.25 | 4.00 |
| 🏈 20Bet | 1.2 | 3.99 |
| 🏈 SpinBet | 1.99 | 2.1 |
| 🏈 Stake | 1.31 | 3.8 |
Prediction for Dolphins vs Raiders
Analytics offer mixed signals: some models project a coin flip, others give the Dolphins a 70% chance. But with Farnworth back, Tabuai-Fidow threatening on the edges, and Canberra resting so many stars, this looks like a one-sided contest. Expect the Dolphins to ride the emotion of the occasion and run away with it.
