Canberra Raiders vs The Dolphins Prediction – Round 8 2025

Originally written off as bottom half of the ladder cannon fodder in preseason, the Canberra Raiders now have the chance to underline their top four credentials and improve their record to 6-2, if they can best the Dolphins at GIO Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The last time the Green Machine held a 6-2 record through eight matches was 2019, when they went on to reach the grand final.

Their adversaries this week the Dolphins are also flying and have won their last three in an impressive form reversal to sit on the precipice of the top eight.

Last week’s victory over Melbourne was arguably the best in their brief history, overcoming a 16-2 deficit to storm home 42-22.

On the team front, Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has adopted the ‘if it isn’t broken don’t fix it’ method and named the same 17 as last week, while the Dolphins have been forced into one change with Francis Molo debuting for the club at starting prop, with Felise Kaufusi out of the side due to a knee injury.

Here are the full line ups for Sunday's clash in the nation’s capital, as well as some betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer and over/under markets. This is our Raiders vs Dolphins prediction.

 

Raiders vs Dolphins Teams

 

Canberra Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes

2. Savelio Tamale

3. Matthew Timoko

4. Seb Kris

5. Xavier Savage

6. Ethan Strange

7. Jamal Fogarty

8. Corey Horsburgh

9. Tom Starling

10. Joe Tapine

11. Hudson Young

12. Matty Nicholson

13. Morgan Smithies

14. Owen Pattie

15. Zac Hosking

16. Josh Papali'i

17. Ata Mariota

 

The Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

2. Jamayne Isaako

3. Jake Averillo

4. Herbie Farnworth

5. Jack Bostock

6. Kodi Nikorima

7. Isaiya Katoa

8. Daniel Saifiti

9. Max Plath

10. Francis Molo 

11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

12. Tom Gilbert

13. Mark Nicholls

14. Kurt Donoghoe

15. Ray Stone

16. Connelly Lemuelu

17. Josh Kerr

Raiders vs Dolphins Prediction and Betting Tips

 

Head-to-Head Prediction

Aside from the Bulldogs, it’s fair to say the Raiders and the Dolphins are the two form sides in the competition.

The Phins have come from nowhere to enter the conversation for the eight, while the Raiders have rocketed to third on the back of three straight wins.

Canberra might be the favourites in the H2H market, but they’ll be on red-alert after the Dolphins dismantled Melbourne last start despite entering that one as the underdogs too. Anyone got a coin?

We’re going to let home ground advantage and the fact that The Dolphins have lost each of their last seven interstate matches be the deciding factors here. Canberra in a close one.

Betting tip: Canberra Raiders.

 

First Try Scorer Prediction

A large part of the Raiders’ success this season has been due to the bevvy of electric outside backs they possess.

They’ve all popped up throughout the first seven round to score crucial four-pointers, so naturally we’re going to gravitate to one of them for this market.

Here we’re going with hard working centre Sebastian Kris, who will enter here with try scoring form after finding the line last week in his side’s comeback victory over the Titans.

Betting tip: Sebastian Kris.

 

Over/Under Prediction

While last week was a points scoring party for the Phins and their guests the Storm, that’s not normally the case when the Redcliffe-based club is involved.

Eight of the Dolphins' last nine matches have gone under the total match points line and we’re anticipating a low scoring grind down in chilly old Canberra.

Betting tip: Under total match points.

Raiders vs Dolphins Match Details

 

Date: Sunday, April 27, 2025.

Kick-off: 2:00pm AEST.

Location: GIO Stadium, Canberra.