Match Preview: Round 12 – Dolphins v Raiders

The Dolphins will be chasing history this Thursday night, with the club looking to win four games in a row for the first time.

They travel to the nation’s capital to take on the Raiders in Canberra, with the home side coming off a bye after sitting out Magic Round. The Dolphins, meanwhile, head into the clash full of confidence after their Magic Round victory.

The Raiders sit 12th on the ladder, while the Dolphins have climbed into eighth, setting up an important Round 12 showdown.

There is plenty to look forward to, with centre Jack Bostock entering the match in strong form after scoring four tries in his last three games.

The last time these two sides met was in the final round of the 2025 season, when Kristian Woolf’s side finished the year with a dominant 62-24 victory.

Team News

Dolphins

The Dolphins will be without four players due to Origin selection.

Trai Fuller steps into the fullback role for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, while Tevita Naufahu comes in for Selwyn Cobbo on the left edge.

Kodi Nikorima has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, with Bradley Schneider named at five-eighth.

A new-look forward pack will see Francis Molo and Jeremy Marshall-King step into the front row, covering for Maroons representatives Thomas Flegler and Max Plath.

Oryn Keeley joins the bench, while Brian Pouniu and Lewis Symonds are the new faces on the extended bench.

Raiders 

The Raiders have also made several changes, with players away in Blues camp.

Daine Laurie has been named at five-eighth, while Ata Mariota starts in the back row.

Zac Hosking returns from concussion and has been named in the back row after Simi Sasagi suffered a shoulder injury.

Jordan Uta is set to make his NRL debut from the bench, while Xavier Savage makes an early return from injury. Jed Stuart moves to the interchange.

Match-Up 

This week’s key match-up is between the hookers, a crucial part of any side.

Jeremy Marshall-King will step up for the Dolphins after returning two weeks ago from an MCL injury. In his two appearances so far this season, Marshall-King scored in his first game back and has already made 50 tackles. His toughness through the middle will be important for the Dolphins.

For the Raiders, Tom Starling wears the No.9 jersey. Across his 10 appearances this season, Starling is yet to score, but has been strong defensively with 377 tackles at 89 per cent efficiency.

Both hookers will play a big role in controlling the middle and setting the tone for their sides on Thursday night.