NRL 2025 LIVE updates: Mahoney and Kenny moved to starting hookers in Bulldogs and Panthers elimination semi

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Have your say: who is winning this afternoon?

3.27pm

Panthers team list: Kenny returns

Mitch Kenny is a late addition to the Panthers line up after being sidelined last week with a hamstring injury.

That pushes Luke Sommerton out of Ivan Cleary’s 17.

Mitch Kenny returns from a hamstring injury.

Here’s what they look like today.

1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Paul Alamoti, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Casey McLean, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Baize Talagi, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Moses Leota, 22. Mitch Kenny, 10. Lindsay Smith, 11. Scott Sorensen, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange: 14. Brad Schneider, 15. Liam Henry, 16. Isaiah Papali’i, 17. Luke Garner

3.21pm

Bulldogs team list: Mahoney to start

Coach Cameron Ciraldo is returning to a team that looks a lot more like the one that took them to the top of the ladder earlier this year, with Reed Mahoney to start at hooker for the Bulldogs today.

Ciraldo has opted for Bailey Hayward in recent weeks, but obviously the experience of Mahoney in big matches will be a valuable addition to start the match.

Here’s how the team lines up this afternoon.

1. Connor Tracey, 2. Jacob Kiraz, 3. Bronson Xerri, 4. Matt Burton, 5. Jethro Rinakama, 6. Lachlan Galvin, 7. Toby Sexton, 8. Max King, 17. Reed Mahoney, 15. Sitili Tupouniua, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Jacob Preston, 13. Jaeman Salmon

Interchange: 9. Bailey Hayward, 14. Kurt Mann, 10. Josh Curran, 16. Harry Hayes

Bulldogs No. 7 Lachlan Galvin arrives at training on Monday.

3.13pm

Joey’s tip for the match today

I expect the Panthers to just be too strong on a glorious Sunday afternoon, even though I think this Panthers side actually gets more advantage from night games and wet weather.

The Dogs will back their defence to get up in Penrith’s face, trying to bustle them off their game.

They played out of their skins the last time both sides were at full strength – the 8-6 Panthers win thanks to Nathan Cleary’s charge down in round 17 – and will have to do so again to be any chance.

Unfortunately for the Dogs, I just don’t see it.

Joey’s tip: Panthers by 10
Man of the match: Isaah Yeo
First try-scorer: Paul Alamoti

3.08pm

This afternoon’s forecast

3.04pm

Crichton fails in bid to overcome injury

Team lists aren’t too far away, but yesterday we had confirmation that Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton had fallen short in his bid to overcome a serious ankle injury.

Now, the team have to overcome the reigning premiers without him.

Stephen Crichton has failed in his bid to return for Canterbury.

Read all about it here.

3.01pm

Have your say: who is winning this afternoon?

2.54pm

Welcome

Good afternoon footy fans.

What a beautiful day it is in Sydney, where about 70,000 footy fans are descending on Accor Stadium for the elimination semi-final between the Bulldogs and the Panthers.

Billie Eder here to take you through all the action, along with Dan Walsh, Emma Kemp and Robert Dillon. Oh yes, it’s all hands on deck for this afternoon’s thriller.

We have plenty of stats, facts, team lists and news to bring you until kick-off at 4:05pm, so sit back, relax, and let’s get going.