NRL Finals Week 2 betting tips, multi picks & predictions

September 17, 2025 12:54 pm.by Cayne Pitstock

NRL Finals Week Two

The 2025 NRL semi-finals on September 20–21 arrive with two season-defining showdowns to decide who marches into the prelims.

After last weekend’s chaos, the pressure ratchets up another notch with the Canberra Raiders looking to rebound from golden-point heartbreak at home against a resurgent Cronulla Sharks. On Sunday, the injury-hit Canterbury Bulldogs face the ultimate test against a Penrith Panthers outfit chasing an extraordinary fifth straight premiership.

With plenty of NRL betting value across both games, here’s our full Finals Week 2 preview with expert tips, best bets and a multi to follow.

Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks

Saturday, September 20 – 7:50pm AEST – GIO Stadium, Canberra

The Raiders return to Canberra still licking their wounds from the golden-point loss to Brisbane but remain every inch a finals heavyweight. Ricky Stuart has named an unchanged 17, banking on the same pack to win the middle and reassert control.

Josh Papalii and Joseph Tapine will again lay the platform, Corey Horsburgh’s work rate is crucial around the ruck, and Ethan Strange continues to shine as the breakout star of September with six tries in his last four games. Hudson Young’s strike on the left edge gives them another line-running threat.

With Jamal Fogarty’s steady hand at halfback, Canberra have scored 24 points or more in eight straight at GIO Stadium — a trend that speaks to both structure and confidence at home.

Fast Payouts

Cronulla Sharks survived Week 1 courtesy of Roosters errors and know they must lift another gear.

Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall have to kick early and often to manage field position, while Addin Fonua-Blake’s go-forward is the key to unlocking their outside men. William Kennedy’s sweep plays with Jesse Ramien and Ronaldo Mulitalo can cause trouble if they win quick play-the-balls.

The Sharks’ record here is poor — one win in their last six in Canberra — and finals pressure tends to expose their red-zone execution. If the Raiders settle early and control tempo, their superior defence and strike power should tilt the contest.

Raiders v Sharks best bets

Canberra Raiders by 13+ points

+185
@
BetOnline

Hudson Young anytime tryscorer

+185
@
BetOnline

Canterbury Bulldogs v Penrith Panthers

Sunday, September 21 – 4:05pm AEST – Accor Stadium, Sydney

The Bulldogs have rolled the dice with a reshuffled spine as Matt Burton shifts to the centres and 20-year-old Lachlan Galvin partners Toby Sexton in the halves. That change gives Canterbury more direct running in the middle and frees Burton’s footwork and left-foot kick as a strike weapon on the edge.

Viliame Kikau looms as a key target runner at Penrith’s inside shoulders, while Jacob Preston has been a shining light with four tries in his last two against the Panthers. Connor Tracey’s composure at fullback and Marcelo Montoya’s possible return give them some stability under the high ball.

The Panthers, unchanged from last week, look ominous after strangling the Warriors to just eight points in Auckland.

Nathan Cleary’s kicking game, Dylan Edwards’ relentless support play, and Isaah Yeo’s ruck control have all clicked at the perfect time, and Moses Leota brings extra steel in his 200th NRL game.

Penrith have won eight of their last nine matches against Canterbury and boast a huge experience edge in finals football. Still, if the Dogs can start fast, win the collision, and kick early to test Edwards, they can drag the premiers into an arm-wrestle. It’s a daunting assignment but also a rare chance to shock the NRL world.