Canberra will be without one of their key backs when they face the Dolphins on Sunday, with centre Matt Timoko withdrawing from the Round 27 clash. His absence comes as the Raiders rest several star players after securing the minor premiership with last week’s dominant win over the Wests Tigers.
Timoko’s withdrawal has created opportunities for a new generation of Raiders players. Kain Anderson, whose brother Grant plays for Melbourne, will make his NRL debut alongside Michael Asomua, Joe Roddy and Manaia Waitere.
Corey Horsburgh will captain the reshuffled Green Machine as Canberra looks to balance player rest with finals preparation.\
MORE: Eels stars bullish on 2026 rebuild - ‘We’d be finals bound’
Debuts and strategic rest for the minor premiers
Coach Ricky Stuart has taken the chance to give fresh faces game time while keeping key players like Kaeo Weekes, Jed Stuart, Ethan Strange, Jamal Fogarty, Joe Tapine, Tom Starling, Simi Sasagi, Josh Papalii, Zac Hosking and Hudson Young on the sidelines.
“The Raiders will now have four debutantes with Anderson joining Michael Asomua, Joe Roddy and Manaia Waitere with the minor premiers resting most of their big guns,” the team confirmed.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, are chasing a maiden finals berth and enter the match two points behind the eighth-placed Roosters. They need a favourable result on Friday night and a win on Sunday to have any hope of reaching the top eight. With star centre Herbie Farnworth edging closer to a return from a hamstring injury, Kristian Woolf’s side will be keen to capitalise on Canberra’s rotation strategy.
Sunday’s clash at Kayo Stadium is shaping up as a test of depth and resilience for both sides, with Canberra prioritising player welfare while the Dolphins chase a historic finals appearance.