Source : the age
Dramas for the Eels even before kick-off tonight with Jordan Samrani picking up a groin injury in the warm-up, so Apa Twidle is likely to switch back to fullback after being shifted to the bench an hour before kick-off. (He’s officially named in the centres, with Sean Russell at fullback, but expect to see a backline reshuffle.)
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Tom Gilbert 17. Brian Pouniu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles
Bench: 11. Max Plath 14. Ray Stone 15. Francis Molo 16. Felise Kaufusi 18. Brad Schneider 19. Jake Averillo
Parramatta Eels
18. Sean Russell 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 1. Apa Twidle 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Luca Moretti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kitione Kautoga 15. Saxon Pryke
Bench: 13. Jack de Belin 14. Harrison Edwards 16. Teancum Brown 17. Jezaiah Funa-Luta 19. Kelma Tuilagi
We’ll have a full match report from Brisbane’s win over Canberra shortly, but up next is Parramatta’s visit to Suncorp Stadium to take on the Dolphins. We’ve already had one upset result tonight, can the Eels produce another?
One minute to go and Ethan Sanders puts up a towering bomb, and with the chasers flying through there’s plenty of pressure on stand-in fullback Hayze Perham, but he takes it comfortably to cap a strong individual performance.
But there’s another twist in the tail of this game as Matt Nicholson makes a one-on-one strip to get the ball off Josiah Karapani. The Raiders attack down the right, Simi Sasagi flicking a pass to Xavier Savage in the corner – but Karapani is there and tackles Savage over the sideline. Match-winning tackle, that.
That is a gutsy win for the Broncos, who have officially dodged the wooden spoon, while the Raiders won’t be playing finals football in 2026.
Full-time: Broncos 34, Raiders 30
It’s desperation time for Canberra, who need to produce something here to get back into this one. And Ethan Strange, who has had an off night, tries to conjure a miracle – beating a defender to make a half break, then kicking ahead for Kaeo Weekes.
Weekes easily outpaces Xavier Willison to the ball but it takes a wicket bounce for him and Willison grabs it, then Weekes strips it one-on-one, but knocks it on in the process. The Broncos survive and will get the scrum feed.
Broncos 34, Raiders 30 with three minutes left
No Reece Walsh, no worries – the Broncos have pulled off another big comeback against Canberra, spreading the ball to the right, with Ben Hunt holding up a pass nicely for Hayze Perham to slide over out wide.
Perham, Walsh’s replacement at fullback, has been one of Brisbane’s best, as has Ben Hunt.
This could be really spoiling the party for the Raiders, who were on track to celebrate a big win in Josh Papalii’s final home game when they led 30-16 inside the final 20 minutes. Instead, a loss here would end their finals chances.
Broncos 34, Raiders 30 with four minutes left
Are we set for another big Broncos comeback win?
Ben Hunt, whose field goal capped a 29-28 comeback win over Canberra in the first week of last year’s finals, puts a perfect crossfield kick onto the chest of a charging Grant Anderson, who goes over for his second try of the night.
Hayze Perham converts and we’ve got a nail-biting finish ahead of us.
Raiders 30, Broncos 28 with 12 minutes left
Once again, out of nowhere, the Broncos score against the run of play.
A Ben Hunt bomb goes up and is allowed to bounce as Jed Stuart fails to defuse it, Jack Gosiewski grabbing the loose ball and lobbing a pass to Payne Haas. The future Rabbitoh brushes off one tackle, runs through a gap and carries two defenders over the tryline.
It’s back to an eight-point ball game as Hayze Perham converts.
In more bad news for Canberra, Zac Hosking has picked up a hamstring injury and leaves the field.
Raiders 30, Broncos 22 with 14 minutes left
The Raiders’ dominance in this second half continues – they’ve had 22 tackles inside Brisbane’s 20 metres since half-time – and while the Broncos’ keep making their tackles, they finally crack thanks to a kick.
Owen Pattie puts in a grubber that takes a wicket bounce for Pat Carrigan, who can only deflect it into the air for Zac Hosking to grab it and score.
Ethan Strange converts and it looks like Josh Papalii is going to get a win in his final home game for the Raiders.
Raiders 30, Broncos 16 with 18 minutes left
