The StoreLocal Hospital Cup has reached its final regular season round for 2022, with the minor premiership still up for grabs ahead of this weekend’s action.
The top-four is all but confirmed, although Easts could sneak into the finals series if results go their way this Saturday.
Let’s take a look around the grounds.
It’s always a massive occasion when these two great rivals go head-to-head, and this Saturday will be no different at Yoku Road.
The minor premiership is still within Uni’s grasp, with the Heavies needing a win over Jeeps and Wests to lose to claim the Horsley Cup for the second consecutive season.
There’s no shortage of motivation for the Gallopers either.
A big bonus-point win would see GPS move ahead of UQ into second spot and earn the right to a second chance come finals time.
The home side will be without inspirational captain Michael Richards who has been forced to put his 200th club game on ice due to illness, while speedster Josh Collins is sidelined with injury once again.
Richards’ absence sees Fijian wrecking ball Ratu Vio return to start at number-eight, while Doug Rayment comes onto the wing.
UQ have named an all-star backline, with Jock Campbell out of Wallabies camp for the second straight week and the likes of Kalani Thomas, Nick Jooste and Mac Grealy providing strike and class around the park.
Skipper Pat Morrey returns to his preferred backrow position as the two clubs contest the Halley Appleby Memorial Cup at Ashgrove.
A huge bonus-point win over Bond and a Brothers loss is the only thing that stands within Easts and an improbable finals berth for 2022.
Fresh from a bye, the Tigers will make the trip down the M1 with their season well and truly on the line, with the front row of JP Tominiko, Richie Asiata and Rhys van Nek set to be key in this one.
Eli Pilz and Jake Pappin will combine in the halves, with the Tigers high on confidence against the Bullsharks after a 47-19 win in their last meeting.
A chance to end Easts’ season and play in front of their home crowd will be incentive enough for Bond as they look to put a number of narrow losses in recent weeks behind them.
Max Dowd returns to the side on the wing, while Spencer Jeans also comes into the starting side.
The Blyth brothers - Angus and Wilson - combine in the second row, as Connor Pritchard looks to continue his strong season at openside flanker.
Wests will have the chance to sew up the minor premiership when they host Souths on Saturday afternoon.
The Bulldogs will again have the services of Wallabies and Reds winger Suliasi Vunivalu, while fellow Queensland representative Isaac Henry has been named to make his return after a stint in Fiji with Australia A and subsequent quad injury.
Keynan Tauakipulu also returns from a syndesmosis injury, with Filipo Daugunu starting at fullback and Cullin Cooper-Jones at scrumhalf as the Bulldogs look to build momentum for their finals campaign.
Souths put in a determined performance against GPS last weekend without getting the win, and the side will be keen to send outgoing head coach Todd Dammers off as a winner.
George Francis starts at loosehead prop to provide set-piece prowess alongside Theo Fourie and Phransis Sula- Siaosi.
Hugo Smith and Lachlan Stewart will combine in the halves, with Harry McMahon coming back onto the wing.
After a huge loss to UQ last week, Sunnybank will look to bounce back against Brothers for their final home game of 2022.
Tom Lucas is back for the Bankers to reprise his playmaking combination with Rohan Saifoloi, Lathaniel Tiatia will start on the wing and veteran Rex Tapuai will don the number-12 jersey.
Up front, Andictor Petelo, Eli Fakailoatonga and Dave Feao will start in the front row, while Pita Halaifonua runs on at number-eight.
Following a number of second-half fadeouts recently, Brothers will be looking for an 80-minute performance to cement their spot in the top-four.
Flyhalf James O’Connor will again start at flyhalf, while Lawson Creighton is back from a finger injury to form a lethal playmaking trio alongside Tayler Adams at fullback.
Will Wilson returns to the starting side and will play alongside his younger brother, Reds and Wallaby number-eight Harry Wilson.
Veteran hooker Dustin Henegan comes into the side with Harry Hoopert and Jaiden Christian starting as props.
