Raymond Smith cemented his status as the player to beat heading into next week’s 2025 Dabble Darts ANZ Premier League Finals Night after clinching victory on Night Seven on the Gold Coast with a 5-4 win over Simon Whitlock.
In a repeat of the Night Two final in Newcastle, which Smith won, ‘Guru’ claimed his second nightly win in his fourth final of the Premier League to clinch the weekly $2000 prize.
The final went all the way to a decider, with Whitlock producing a superb visit of 177 to leave himself sat on 20, only for Smith to pin a clutch 100 checkout via double 16.
Smith acknowledges that if he didn’t take it out, he would have lost, which would have been a huge disappointment in his home state of Queensland.
“If I miss, I'm done,” Smith said. “I was pretty pleased to hit that, especially after missing two match darts last week.
“I have got my Thursday night team here. It means a lot to me. This is my home, so I’m pretty stoked.”
Smith went into the final knowing he had top spot in the standings wrapped up, following his commanding 5-1 quarter-final win over Jonny Tata, which saw him extend his unbeaten run in the quarter-finals.
He then backed it up with a 5-2 win over Night Six winner Tim Pusey, reeling off four consecutive legs to prevail.
For Whitlock, his defeat in Saturday’s showpiece means he will finish third in the standings behind Tata, while Pusey claimed fourth spot.
Whitlock reeled off three consecutive legs to beat Ben Robb 5-3 in their quarter-final, eliminating the Kiwi in the process, before beating Brody Klinge by the same scoreline to end his compatriot’s hopes of sneaking into the finals.
Despite the outcome, Whitlock is pleased with his form ahead of Brisbane next weekend.
“I'm really pleased with tonight,” Whitlock said. “Just to get through that first game was tough.
“I knew I had to win the first game just to secure a spot for next week. So, that was huge for me.
“Ray's the best player in Australia right now and he's the benchmark to beat.
“I haven't won a night yet, so, you know what? Next week could be the one.”
Pusey had all but secured his spot at Finals Night with a 5-4 win over Bailey in a last-leg quarter-final classic, but did have to wait until Whitlock’s win over Klinge to book his ticket to Brisbane.
The other quarter-final saw Klinge whitewash Joe Comito 5-0, as the DPA number one endured a disappointing end to his campaign.
Next Saturday’s semi-finals will see Smith face Pusey while Tata squares off against Whitlock, with the winner to pocket a $30,000 prize and book their spot at Alexandra Palace for the 2025/26 Paddy Power World Championships.
The semi-finals will be played over the best of 15 legs, while the final will be contested over the best of 19 legs.
The Dabble Darts ANZ Premier League is being broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports in Australia, Sky Sport in New Zealand and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers.
2025 Dabble Darts ANZ Premier League
Night Seven
Saturday November 15
Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre
Quarter-Finals
Raymond Smith 5-1 Jonny Tata
Tim Pusey 5-4 James Bailey
Brody Klinge 5-0 Joe Comito
Simon Whitlock 5-3 Ben Robb
Semi-Finals
Raymond Smith 5-2 Tim Pusey
Simon Whitlock 5-3 Brody Klinge
Final
Raymond Smith 5-4 Simon Whitlock
Play-Offs
Saturday November 22, Nissan Arena, Brisbane
Semi-Finals
Raymond Smith v Tim Pusey
Jonny Tata v Simon Whitlock
Best of 15 legs
Final
Smith/Pusey v Tata/Whitlock
Best of 19 legs