In two games that will shape the top four, Penrith face ladder leaders Canberra in Mudgee in the first game before the Melbourne Storm take on the Canterbury Bulldogs in another clash between two premiership hopefuls. Watch every game of the 2025 NRL Women’s Premiership LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. It’s a must win game for the Panthers, who sit sixth on the ladder, one point behind Cronulla and the New Zealand Warriors in a battle to finish in the top four. The Raiders, who were tipped by many to be wooden spooners in 2025, have proved their doubters wrong and Ricky Stuart has the green machine primed to make their first grand final since 2019. Meanwhile the Storm are looking to continue their strong late season form against the Dogs following last week’s golden point win over the Panthers — they might be without Ryan Papenhuyzen again, who was been named in the reserves with Cameron Munster at fullback. “I think Papenhuyzen will play,” Fox League’s Greg Alexander told news.com.au. “Munster did a great job at fullback last week. If he’s not fit, Jonah Pezet and Tyran Wishart and Wishart were good, you know, they played in that win over Penrith. Harry Grant’s in great form. “The Storm have had a good month. They’ve beaten the Roosters, the Broncos and the Panthers. They’ve had a pretty tough run already and it doesn’t get any easier with the Dogs because the Dogs are desperate. “Melbourne deserve to be favourites, but I’ve got a feeling that the Dogs just might be able to do something.” With the Panthers peaking at the right time of the year, neutral rugby league fans might be dreading another grand final between Penrith and Melbourne after 2020 and 2024. At least one of Penrith, Melbourne and the Roosters have featured in a every grand final stretching back to the 2015 decider between the Broncos and Cowboys. “I wouldn’t like to try and make a prediction on who’s going to get through to the grand final because there’s still so much that can happen with the big games still to go this year,” Alexander said. “The Storm have got another couple of tough ones after they play the Dogs. “Let’s just see who can get to the end with still with their full team intact. That’ll count for a lot. With three rounds still to go, it’s pretty important to get to the end of the season coming into finals. And for the big games, you need all your best players. We’ll see who lines up in three weeks time when it is finals time. “The Raiders have been in the frontrunners, they will win the minor premiership. There’s no reason why they can’t win the comp. I’m not locking in a Penrith-Storm grand final just yet. There’s still a lot to be played out. Who knows? The Broncos just could sneak up and surprise everyone. “The four sides playing on Friday night, if the Dogs can straighten themselves out over the next couple of weeks and if they have a couple of wins who would deny who would say the Dogs can’t win the comp. “It’s a very open race, more so than the last few years, but not willing to lock in two grand finals teams just yet.” Many astute judges see the Bulldogs as a year or two away from being a genuine premiership threat with more development required for Lachlan Galvin and Bailey Hayward for Canterbury to challenge for the title. But Alexander said there’s no reason the Dogs can’t make a deep finals run if they snag victories in the final three games of the season against Melbourne, Penrith and the Sharks. “Don’t count on next year happening, because it might not,” Alexander said about whether the Dogs are a year away from contending. “The dogs will do everything in their power to finish off the year strong and who knows what could happen. The next couple of weeks will be telling for the Dogs. They play the Storm, then they play the Panthers. “Boy, back-to-back wins would have everyone sitting up and taking notice again.” Watch the Friday NRL Round 25 double header on Fox League via Kayo Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders — 6pm AEST Melbourne Storm vs Canterbury Bulldogs — 8.10pm AEST