NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Dolphins

Entering round 12 off the back of a bye, the Raiders will be hoping to jump out of the gates firing, despite a number of changes.

With Origin just around the corner, both teams come into Thursday night’s showdown with a list of key exclusions.

Fan favourites Hudson Young and Ethan Strange have earnt call ups to the NSW squad for game one, with Simi Sasagi ruled out due to an AC joint injury suffered in round 10.

Covering these omissions, Daine Laurie moves into five-eighth with Ata Mariota transitioning to the starting lineup, partnered by Zac Hosking who returns from injury.

Earning a call up for Thursday’s clash, edge-forward Jordan Uta will make his NRL debut after impressing in the lower grades.

Elsewhere, Xavier Savage makes his first appearance since round five, returning from an ankle injury.

On the other side of the field, the Dolphins will be looking to build upon a dominant 32-10 victory against the Bunnies at Magic Round.

The Queensland outfit will be without the Hammer, Selwyn Cobbo, Max Plath, and Thomas Flegler who will all represent the Maroons next Wednesday night.

Canberra will also face off against former halfback, Brad Schneider, who replaces Kodi Nikorima in the halves.

Talking Points:

• Captain Joe Tapine will play his 100th game at GIO Stadium.
• Jordan Uta will become Raider #411 when he makes his debut on Thursday night.
• The Raiders have won three of their previous four matchups against the Dolphins.
• Kaeo Weekes has scored five tries in his last five outings.
• Xavier Savage makes his highly anticipated return from an ankle injury, his first appearance since round five.

Last Time They Met:

The Dolphins defeated the Canberra Raiders 62-24 at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe, in round 27 of the 2025 season.

We’ve got a good opportunity this Thursday night against the Dolphins to come back refreshed, and ready to attack this next part of the season.

Tom Starling #362

Key Matchup: Tom Starling v Jeremy Marshall-King

This Thursday night in the nation’s capital, game changing dummy-halves headline the round 12 key matchup, with Tom Starling and Jeremy Marshall-King going head-to-head.

Entering the 2026 season in a three-way shootout for the number nine jersey, Tom Starling has enjoyed one of his best seasons to date, continuously providing a spark on both sides of the ball for the Green Machine.

Starling’s value to Canberra extends far beyond his service from the base of the ruck, constantly looking to push defences beyond the advantage line with 33 runs from dummy-half.

On Thursday night Starling will enter a showdown against Marshall-King, who makes his first start of the 2026 season off the back of a meniscus injury.

Having featured off the bench in the previous two weeks, Marshall-King’s worth to the Dolphins hasn’t gone unnoticed, proving as a handful for tiring defences.

Also posing as a threat from the base of the ruck, the Kiwi international took 81 runs from dummy half in 2025, something the Raiders will be cautious of.

Fans should be sure to keep a keen eye on the matchup between two of the games most exciting number nines, as both players will be hoping to guide their teams through an Origin effected period.