Canberra Raiders News

NRL introduces a new finals format after 18 years, adding Sunday afternoon games.

LeagueNews.co

The NRL is set to implement a new finals format for the first time in 18 years, according to chief executive Andrew Abdo. He clarified that this change is not a rash decision but a plan that has been in development for two years. The preliminary final schedule remains undecided, especially in light of a possible matchup with the AFL grand final in Melbourne.

This shift will introduce a Sunday afternoon game in the second week of finals, a rarity since the Cowboys defeated the Warriors in 2007. Previously, day games had also seen the Wests Tigers triumph over the Broncos in 2005.

Although nighttime matches generally appeal to broadcasters, both Fox League and Channel 9 have supported the new earlier kick-off time. This adjustment could result in the loser of the upcoming Raiders-Broncos game facing either the Sharks or the Roosters.

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Dolphins' Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow suffers Grade 3 MCL tear, ending his season and Australia/Samoa choice.

Zero Tackle

The final round of the 2025 season was cruel to a few players, with season-ending injuries across the park spelling doom for many stars.

Another victim of the Round 27 injury plague has been revealed, with news that Dolphins superstar Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow had suffered a Grade 3 MCL tear in Sunday's win over the Raiders.

He was reportedly set to choose between playing for Australia in the Ashes series or Samoa in the Pacific Championships, seemingly opting for the latter before succumbing to the devastating knee injury.

Tabuai-Fidow will now spend his offseason rehabbing, with the hope of improving on the Dolphins' best season to date, which saw the third-year club finish 2025 with the best attack in the NRL.

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Adam Reynolds says Reece Walsh will stay strong despite Raiders' physical targeting in finals.

LeagueNews.co

Broncos captain Adam Reynolds has confidently stated that Reece Walsh will remain unfazed if the Raiders decide to target him during Sunday's NRL qualifying final. Walsh's performance will be crucial for Brisbane as they face the minor premiers in Canberra, and Raiders captain Joe Tapine has made it clear that his team intends to assert their physical presence.

At a media event for the finals series launch on Monday, Tapine cheekily mentioned his desire to replicate a famous hit he delivered on Walsh two years ago. The Raiders' forward pack has a history of physical play against Walsh, highlighted by Tapine smashing the star fullback late in a 2023 game.

In that instance, Walsh was attempting to run down the clock and was unprepared for a substantial hit, which Tapine executed. The tackle became a topic of debate in the NRL community, with opinions divided on whether it was a dirty move. However, Walsh himself considered it part of the game and took no offense. Tapine remarked on Monday that he would not hesitate to make a similar tackle again.

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