Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks Prediction – Semi-Finals 2025

Ricky Stuart has the unenviable task of rallying his brave troops for a do-or-die semi-final, with the Raiders looking to avoid a straight-sets exit when they host the Sharks on Saturday night.

The top-of-the-table Raiders were downed 29-28 by the Broncos in an all-time classic that included three sin bins and lasted 94 minutes.

After holding a 28-12 lead inside the final 15 minutes, the Raiders thought they had it won on multiple occasions before ultimately going down in golden point.

Canberra have one day less to prepare for this match but hold the advantage of playing host as well as no new injuries, meaning they have named an unchanged 17 from last week.

Meanwhile, Cronulla exorcised some demons by overcoming a favoured Roosters side 20-10 to keep its season alive.

The last time the Sharks tasted victory in the first week of finals, they went on to win their lone premiership, just shy of a decade ago. Cronulla also have the luxury of naming the same lineup as last start with no fresh injuries to report in the Shire.

Check out our Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks match preview for plenty of betting tips and predictions across a host of markets. From H2H to anytime try scorer and everything in between. 

Looking for all the latest news, analysis, odds, and betting tips ahead of this Semi-final? Check out our Raiders vs Sharks prediction below.

 

Raiders vs Sharks Prediction and Betting Tips

 

Head-to-Head Prediction

Kicking off semi-final proceedings this weekend are the crestfallen Canberra Raiders and the confident Cronulla Sharks.

The Raiders return to the scene of their heartbreaking golden point defeat to Brisbane, which we’re sure they won’t mind as it’s their home ground – GIO Stadium.

It’s hard to gauge what the mindset of the Canberra troops will be. Yes, the fashion in which they lost to Brisbane was far from ideal, especially considering they were leading by three converted tries with 15 minutes to play.

However, their cause wasn’t exactly helped by the officials, who made some dubious decisions to put it lightly.

They can also take great confidence from the way they performed, particularly with the ball. Their Young guns Hudson, Weekes and Strange put on a clinic with the pill in hand and the Sharks should be shaking in their boots accordingly.

While they should be shaking, they probably won’t be to be honest. They’re in a rich vein of form at the moment and have timed their run to perfection.

They were assured last week, seeing off the red-hot Roosters in a composed 20-10 win. Ronaldo Mulitalo continues to do what all Ronaldos in sport are known for - scoring, while main man Nicho Hynes is slowly getting back to his best.

However, there is a big difference between playing the eighth placed team at home and the first placed one on the road.

After being the team to beat nearly all year, we don’t see the Green Machine going out in straight sets. They’ve worked too hard and too long for it to end here.

They’ll also want to get their hands on having another crack at the Broncos, which of course, will have to be in the Grand Final. To get there though, they need to start by winning this one, which we think they will.

Betting tip: Canberra Raiders.

 

First Tryscorer Prediction

Canberra’s kid dynamite Ethan Strange is their top scorer this season, despite playing in the halves.

The prodigal 21-year-old has scored at least one try in each of his last four appearances and we’re backing him in to make his mark early in this must win match.

Betting tip: Ethan Strange.

 

Over/Under Prediction

Each of Cronulla's last four away matches have gone under the total match points line.

Betting tip: Under total match points (46.5).

 

Raiders vs Sharks Anytime Tryscorer Betting Tips

 

Briton Nikora 

Briton Nikora has scored at least one try in each of Cronulla's last four interstate night matches.

 

Sebastian Kris

In each of Canberra's last four home matches, its starting left centre has scored a try.

 

Sione Katoa

Sione Katoa has scored at least one try in four of his last five appearances against Canberra.

 

Savelio Tamale

In five of Cronulla's last six away matches, the opposition's starting right wing has scored at least one try.

 

Raiders vs Sharks Teams

 

Canberra Raiders Team List

1. Kaeo Weekes 

2. Savelio Tamale

3. Matt Timoko

4. Sebastian Kris

5. Jed Stuart

6. Ethan Strange

7. Jamal Fogarty

8. Josh Papalii 

9. Tom Starling

10. Joseph Tapine

11. Hudson Young

12. Zac Hosking

13. Corey Horsburgh

14. Owen Pattie

15. Simi Sasagi

16. Morgan Smithies

17. Ata Mariota 

 

Cronulla Sharks Team List

1. William Kennedy

2. Sione Katoa

3. Jesse Ramien

4. KL Iro

5. Ronaldo Mulitalo

6. Braydon Trindall 

7. Nicho Hynes

8. Addin Fonua-Blake

9. Blayke Brailey

10. Toby Rudolf

11. Billy Burns 

12. Teig Wilton

13. Jesse Colquhoun

14. Briton Nikora

15. Siosifa Talakai

16. Oregon Kaufusi

17. Braden Hamlin-Uele

 

Raiders vs Sharks Match Details

 

Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025.

Kick-off: 7:50pm AEST.

Location: GIO Stadium, Canberra.