We've reached the business end of the season in competitions around the state, with finals kicking off or the regular season reaching its final rounds.
Let's check in around the regions.
Southside Crusaders will play the JCU Mariners in this year's Grand Final after a breakthrough 39-24 win over Barron Trinity.
The 15-point victory was the first time Southside had defeated Barron Trinity all season seeing them progress through to the decider.
Despite suffering two yellow cards to Jackson Smith and James Rea, Southside were able to shut out attacking opportunities from their opposition to progress through to the final.
A penalty goal would also allow Southside to take easy points to help them extend their lead and to continue the punishment on Barron Trinity.
Southside player Anthony Simanu scored a double during the game which would be his first of the season.
Despite losing, Barron Trinity's Kele Degei scored a hat-trick in what was his this first match in the staring side since Round 6.
After losing to the Mariners in the semi-finals, Southside will get their chance to exact revenge in Saturday's Grand Final at Barlow Park.
It's set to be a big afternoon for the Crusaders in Cairns fielding teams in all three Grand Finals including Reserve Grade, Women's and Men's A Grade.
A Grade
- Southside Crusaders 39 def Barron Trinity 24
Reserve Grade
- Southside Crusaders 45 def JCU Mariners 33
Townsville Brothers have secured the minor premiership for the 2022 TDRU season after defeating North Ward 36-10.
North Ward put points on the board through Declan Marchioni converting a penalty goal early in the game.
Sam Bradley scored the first try of the game, extending North Ward's lead and the conversion by Marchioni was successful.
However, a 10-point lead for North Ward was quickly put under pressure as Ned Sedgwick scored for Brothers to put them back in the game.
Brothers responded through Joseph Minei, Jack Andreassen and Josh Armit, denying any hopes of North Ward upsetting the competition favourites.
Michael Horton was yellow carded for foul play in the second half, hurting North Ward as Brothers were able to score another try through Ned Segdwick, giving him a double.
Brothers Brendan Morgan kicked all but one of his goals.
Townsville Brothers were able to hold out the opposition for the remainder of the game, showing strong promise going into finals.
Brothers flanker Daniel Cooper was proud of his team’s efforts and looks to continue their strong performance into next week.
“We’re looking to take our tough defence against North Ward into Teachers next week,” Cooper said.
Meanwhile, Western Suburbs fought their way back into the top-four after defeating Charters Towers 22-7.
Toby Paynter scored Charters Towers only try with Matther McKellar converting the goal.
Despite scoring four tries, Western Suburbs only managed to convert one of their goals which will be crucial in the coming weeks if they wish to advance to the Grand Final.
After losing to Teachers West 32-12, Burdekin have dropped out of the top-four bringing their season to an end.
Burdekin suffered two injuries that didn’t allow their players to return to the field and Casey Kempson was issued a yellow card, leaving his side a man down.
Teachers West duo Angus Small and Brandon Dane both scored doubles during the match.
Brandon Dane also received a yellow card for foul play.
Brothers and Teachers West will now battle it out to see who advances straight into the Grand Final, while North Ward will play Western Suburbs to move onto the next week of finals.
A Grade
- Townsville Brothers 36 def North Ward 10
- Teachers West 32 def Burdekin 12
- Western Suburbs 22 def Charters Towers 7
Reserve Grade
- Townsville Brothers 64 def North Ward 7
- Ingham 21 def Western Suburbs 19
- Burdekin 22 def Teachers West 7
Otufelenite have completed a fairy tale first season claiming the 2022 Premiership with a gritty 19-12 victory over Emerald in the Central Highlands Rugby Union Grand Final.
Otufelenite headed into the decider as favourites having picked up the minor premiership and enjoyed a weekend off to freshen up.
While the Rams had to do it the hard way, prevailing over a physical Capella Cattledogs side last week to book their spot in the final.
In each of their four matches this year, the winning margin between the two sides has been four points or less and it proved another tight battle at the weekend.
The Rams booted four penalties to keep them in it, but they were no match for Otufelenite who ran in three-tries-to-nil to secure their maiden silverware.
- Otufelenite Rugby Union Club 19 def Emerald Rams 12
Brothers charge towards finals after big win over Bulls
At Leprechaun Park, Mackay, Brothers ran in five-tries-to-one in a dominating performance against Moranbah Bulls to record a 42-5 victory. Reserve player Lincon Burnett and centre Devan van Zyl scored a double, as flyhalf Nick Agius kicked five conversions.
At Whitsunday Sport Park, Proserpine/Whitsunday Raiders ran in eight-tries-to-three over the third place Kuttabul Camelboks for a 54-17 win at home. Raiders centre Rhys Ward scored four tries and Conor Spence a double. Niall Clancy’s slotted five conversions and Connor Spence two, including his own try.
The Mudcrabs took on Slade Point in a one-sided game as Bowen ran out 56-7 winners. The home side scored eight tries with centre Nick Poole converted seven of those.
Slade Point's Number 8 Travis Joblin scored the visitor's only try which was converted by Zack Simpson.
Mackay City had the bye.
- Mackay Brothers 42 def Moranbah Bulls 5
- PWRUC Raiders 54 def Kuttabul Camelboks 17
- Bowen Mudcrabs 56 def Slade Point Rugby Club 7
Barbarians bag another Grand Final berth
The University of Sunshine Coast Barbarians have booked their ticket to the Grand Final with a 31-19 victory over the Maroochydore Swans.
The score line didn't tell the whole story as the two teams were tied at 19-all at the one-hour mark, before two quick tries to the Barbarians put the game out of reach for the Swans.
The Swans will play the Lighthouses next Saturday in the preliminary final for their chance to face-off against the Barbarians once more in the Grand Final.
It comes as Caloundra ended the Noosa Dolphins season with a 33-15 defeat.
The Lighthouses' flyhalf Mac Burgess was clinical with the boot, nailing two conversions and four penalty goals, as they look to continue their winning momentum against Maroochydore next week for a spot in the decider.
A-Grade
- USC Barbarians 31 def Maroochydore Swans 19
- Caloundra Lighthouses 33 def Noosa Dolphins 15
Reserve Grade
- USC Barbarians 19 def Wynnum Bugs 14
- Noosa Dolphins 26 def Caboolture Snakes 17
The Griffith University Knights have secured their second consecutive Gold Coast District Rugby Union premiership with a 32-12 victory over the Surfers Paradise Dolphins at a packed Pizzey Park.
The Knights controlled the tempo of the game and allowed their outside backs to flourish scoring five tries with talismanic outside centre Kenneth Hemopo crossing for his third try in as many games.
The Dolphins were unable to break down the Knights who proved their bogey team this season. In each of the four times they met, the Dolphins lost every encounter with an aggregate season score of 112-48 in favour of the Knights.
1st Grade
- Griffith Uni Knights 32 def Surfers Paradise Dolphins 12
Reserve Grade
- Nerang Bulls 10 def Helensvale Hogs 8
The 2022 Men’s RDO Equipment Risdon Cup Super Saturday 1 is done and dusted with two nail-biting fixtures.
The season-long heavyweights Toowoomba Rangers and Goondiwindi Emus battled it out at Toowoomba’s Gold Park seeking a position straight through to the Grand Final.
Tries from Goondiwindi’s Jonty Harris and Jack Cook were not enough as the Rangers fullback Brandon Murrey proved too crucial with the boot, kicking two conversions and four penalty goals.
Tries from Tom Taylor and Fraser Hess assured the Rangers came away with a 26-20 victory.
In the knockout match, Dalby got the upper hand finishing the Toowoomba Bears' season with a 31-22 victory.
Dalby will now face the Goondiwindi Emus this Saturday at Riddle Oval for a spot in the Grand Final.
A Grade
- Dalby 31 def Toowoomba Bears 22
- Toowoomba Rangers 26 def Goondiwindi Emus 20
B Grade
- Goondiwindi Emus 26 def St. George Frillnecks 18
- Dalby 27 def USQ Saints 12
