With just two rounds to play and six teams still in finals contention, it’s all to play for in Round 17 of the StoreLocal Hospital Cup.
Let’s take a look around the grounds as the season enters its penultimate round.
With Brothers fighting to hold onto fourth spot and Bond looking to push them out of a finals finish, there’s no shortage of motivation for either of these sides at Albion this Saturday afternoon.
Brothers have been steeled by the inclusion of a pair of Wallabies, with Harry Wilson and James O’Connor returning to don the butcher’s stripes.
Wilson will play alongside his older brother Will for the first time, while fellow Reds Harry Hoopert and Ryan Smith will also feature for the Brethren.
O’Connor will start at flyhalf, pushing Paddy James to outside-centre and the impressive Tayler Adams to fullback.
After a last-gasp loss to Uni last weekend, Bond have named a strong 23 to take on Brothers, with Jake Upfield, Connor Pritchard and Nixon Taramai making for an explosive backrow trio.
The Blyth brothers – Wilson and Angus – provide muscle at lock, while the likes of Joey Fittock, Tyler Campbell and Fijian Drua winger Tuidraki Samusamuvodre should deliver plenty of strike in the backline.
After their dramatic win over Bond last weekend, UQ will be out to make it six straight wins when they host Sunnybank.
The Heavies too have been bolstered by Wallaby returns, with Reds co-captain Tate McDermott set to feature in the Hospital Cup for the first time since UQ’s 2019 Grand Final victory, while Jock Campbell is also back in club Rugby after his first Wallaby tour.
Campbell’s inclusion sees Mac Grealy shift to outside centre, partnering Lukas Ripley in an all-Junior Wallaby midfield.
Upfront, Josh Nasser continues his return from inury alongside Dane Zander in the front row, with the Heavies needing a win to sew up a top-two finish.
Sunnybank will come into the clash full of confidence off the back of a rousing 49-19 win over Souths last week.
Veteran Rex Tapuai starts at outside centre, with Tom Lucas continuing his return to the Hosptial Cup at fullback, providing a dual playmaking threat with Rohan Saifoloi.
Wests can go one step closer to the minor premiership with a win over Norths at Shaw Road this weekend.
The Bulldogs have deployed some serious firepower in the outside backs, with Suliasi Vunivalu, Moses Sorovi and Filipo Daugunu set to feature alongside stalwarts Cooper Whiteside and Benjamin Navosailagi
Jordan Uelese, Tim Faingaanuku and Latu Talakai form a strong front row combination, while youngster Mason Gordon will take the reins at flyhalf.
In what is their last fixture of 2022, the Eagles will be looking to put on a show for the home crowd for a final time this season.
After a frustrating campaign in terms of injury, Connor Chittenden and Shai Wiperi will both feature for the hosts in the backline, while the impressive Harry Langbridge continues his debut season in the flyhalf jersey.
Noosa product Will Rogers returns to start at blindside flanker alongside Mitch Wood and Sosifa Funaki in the backrow.
GPS will continue their quest for a top-two finish when they travel to Yeronga to face Souths this weekend.
The front row battle looms as a huge factor in this one, with the Magpies’ Jonah Pologa, Theo Fourie and Phransis Sula- Siaosi going head-to-head with Emosi Tuqiri, Maile Ngauamo and Jack Straker.
Hugo Smith and Lachlan Stewart will steer the side around the park in what is Souths’ final home game of 2022, while Seb Hanna will continue his impressive campaign in the fullback jersey.
For the Gallopers, Tuaina Taii Tualima has made the move to flanker to accommodate Dan Byrne at lock, with skipper Michael Richards starting at number-eight in his 199th Premier Grade match.
Floyd Aubrey will make his first start at fullback, while speed machine Josh Collins has been named to return after a lengthy injury layoff.
