NRL semi finals teams: Bulldogs leave door ajar for Stephen Crichton miracle; Panthers gun a chance to return

Stephen Crichton looked to have already played his last game for the 2025 season, but Cameron Ciraldo has left the door ajar for the skipper to make a miracle return.

Crichton was one of several Bulldogs stars under an injury cloud after their qualifying final loss against the Storm, with the skipper forced off the field due to an ankle injury.

An official diagnosis of a syndesmosis injury was then confirmed, leaving many to believe his season was over, but the door is open for him to make an incredible recovery and play through the pain in a sudden death clash with the Panthers after he was named on the extended bench.

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Marcelo Montoya was also named in the reserves despite carrying an ankle injury, while Viliame Kikau has been cleared to start with a fractured eye socket.

Ciraldo has opted in favour of Toby Sexton to start in the halves, with Reed Mahoney also recalled as part of a spine shuffle that sees Matt Burton shift to the centres.

Meanwhile, Ivan Cleary will be hoping Mitch Kenny is able to return to full fitness before Sunday's game, having named the hooker on the extended bench.

In his absence Luke Sommerton has been named as the starting No.9.

Here's all the team line-ups for week two of the NRL finals:

SATURDAY

Canberra Raiders vs Cronulla Sharks, GIO Stadium (7.50pm)

Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Savelio Tamale 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jed Stuart 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali'i 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 18. Matt Nicholson 19. Danny Levi 20. Trey Mooney 21. Ethan Sanders 22. Chevy Stewart

Raiders team news: Coach Ricky Stuart has stuck solid with the same 17 that lost against the Broncos, with no major injury concerns emerging since the match.

Sharks team: 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 18. Daniel Atkinson 19. Mawene Hiroti 20. Jayden berrell 21. Thomas Hazelton 22. Hohepha Puru

Sharks team news: Thomas Hazelton has been named among the reserves for the Sharks this week as he attempts to make a return from a knee injury. No other changes were made to the starting 17 from last week.

SUNDAY

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Penrith Panthers, Accor Stadium (4.05pm)

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Matt Burton 5. Jethro Rinakama 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Josh Curran 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Kurt Mann 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes 17. Reed Mahoney 19. Blake Wilson 20. Jake Turpin 21. Samuel Hughes 22. Marcelo Montoya 23. Stephen Crichton

Bulldogs team news: Stephen Crichton (ankle) has been named in the reserves along with Marcelo Montoya (ankle) this week, despite carrying respective injuries. Matt Burton will move to centre, with Bronson Xerri (concussion) joining him in a new-look pairing. Reed Mahoney returns to the bench. Jethro Rinakama is on the list of injured Bulldogs stars but has been named to play.

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To'o 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Liam Henry 16. Isaiah Papali'i 17. Luke Garner 18. Thomas Jenkins 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Daine Laurie 21. Mavrik Geyer 22. Mitch Kenny

Panthers team news: Ivan Cleary has confirmed his starting 17 to face the Bulldogs, with Brad Schneider moving back to the bench while Luke Sommerton was named at No.9. Mitch Kenny (hamstring) has been named among the reserves in a promising sign for the Panthers as he pushes to return from injury.