Week one of the 2025 finals series saw Eastern Suburbs finish with a huge second half to put an end to Randwick’s season, while Norths held ascendancy for their entire match to secure the second spot in the preliminary rounds.

And on Sunday, Warringah came back from a one-point deficit at half time to knock Hunter out of the running, which in turn handed Eastwood a lifeline as they progressed as the highest placed losing team.

Northern Suburbs 43-26 Eastwood

Northern Suburbs finished off a dominant semi-final performance in front of their home crowd, and never really looked like losing their grip on the game after racing out to an early 21-0 lead over Eastwood.

The Shoreman kicked off their scoring through James Margan at the back of their driving maul, shortly followed by Benji Hoppe who took a perfectly timed inside ball from Tom Everard to go in under the posts.

A 60-metre effort started and finished by Callum Sirker made it three tries to none after just 25 minutes, as Eastwood had very few attacking opportunities early on at North Sydney Oval.

The Woods finally got their break when Reece Mau’u was sent to the sin bin just before half time, opening the door for James McGregor to take advantage of the overlap, cruising through a gaping hole in mid-field to reduce the deficit to 14 points at the break.

Sirker picked up a double shortly after play resumed despite Norths still being down a man, then Lachie Albert found a hole next to the ruck to pick up the Woods’ second.

Lachlan Shelley then added another to his competition-leading tally, but Norths answered with back-to-back tries to Sam Kitchen as he twice steered their rolling maul over the visitors’ line.

Never looking close to relinquishing their lead, the Shoremen continued to maintain control in the dying stages, with another try apiece making little difference to the end score.

Norths will now face Warringah in next week’s preliminary final, while Eastwood will breathe a sigh of relief after nervously awaiting the result of Sunday’s third semi, progressing to the next round of finals as the highest ranked losing side.

Eastern Suburbs 40-19 Randwick 

The semi-final battle of Sydney’s East was tense with just a five-point difference at half time, but four tries to two in favour of the Beasties in the second half saw them put a swift end to Randwick’s season.

It took the minor premiers 18 minutes to get on the scoreboard at Woollahra Oval, eventually cracking the Randwick line through crowd favourite Archie Gavin.

The Wicks responded quickly though, as flyhalf Callum Smith nudged the ball in behind the Beasties defences, picking up Jayden Blake who shipped it onto his wing partner in Matias Jensen for their first points.

Easts then steered momentum back in their favour shortly before half time, turning to their rolling maul to convert set piece into points and take a 12-7 lead into the sheds.

Randwick defended with heart early in the second half, but their line was eventually broken by hooker Moli Sooaemalelagi as he muscled his way over from the base of the ruck.

And the Beasties machine continued to roll through the second half, boosted by a lively home crowd, as they picked up another score through Sooaemalelagi at the back of the maul and a five-pointer to Henry Palmer off turnover ball.

James Hendren carved his way through for the Galloping Greens’ second, but the try of the day came in the dying minutes from Waratahs front rower Jack Barrett.

The replacement prop showed incredible work rate to charge down a clearance kick from Sid Harvey, and then win the race from 30 metres out to regather the ball and score his side’s third.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to keep Randwick’s season alive, with another short-range try to Easts rounding out the match.

Eastern Suburbs will now face Eastwood in next week’s preliminary final, and will no doubt stand as favourites to progress through to the 2026 grand final.

Warringah 43-27 Hunter

Warringah weathered the storm against a determined Hunter, coming home the stronger of the two after trailing by a point at half time.

The home side drew first blood at Rat Park, cracking the Hunter line through Australian under 20 prop Tevita Alatini from close range after five minutes of play.

But the Wildfires didn’t take long to respond, as no.8 Philip Talaileva picked up off the back of a messy scrum and carried three Rats’ defenders over the line with him for their first points of the day.

Then it was Hunter again, with Logan Love kicking across field for Tomas Aoake to dive over, quickly followed by a long-range effort from Warringah finished off by Coby Miln.

Another try each kept the lead bouncing back and fourth, before flanker Zac Barnabas was sent to the sin bin, giving Love the chance to knock over a penalty goal and send Hunter into the break leading 22-21.

The Rats scored early in the second half through Ben Woollett, and were handed their own advantage when former Worcester Warriors lock Huw Taylor was sent to the bin for the visitors.

Ken Catchpole medallist Wesley Thomas scored next at the back of a dominant Warringah maul, then Talaileva forced his way over once again to bring his side back within a converted try with 15 minutes left to play.

Hunter showed they were still in the fight, but a penalty goal from Miln extended Warringah’s lead out to nine points, giving the Wildfires a mountain to climb and little time to do it.

A final try to Keelan Whitman in the corner sealed it for Warringah, who looked strong as they held onto their 16-point lead for the final 10 minutes.

Hunter end their season with a gallant performance, while Warringah will look to tighten their defences in preparation for Northern Suburbs next week.