Wests, Brothers, Easts and Bond are all set to contest the 2025 Hospital Cup finals series, but there’s still plenty riding on Saturday’s final round of regular season action – especially when it comes to the race for the minor premiership.

With ladder-leaders Wests facing a Round 18 bye, Brothers and Easts both have the chance to leapfrog the Bulldogs and secure top spot.

Meanwhile, Bond are locked into fourth and will face whichever side finishes third in a do-or-die semi-final next weekend.

The results this weekend will have a big impact on ladder positions ahead of the competition’s finals campaign, which concludes with the grand final at Ballymore on August 31.

1st) Wests – 65pts, 12 wins, +327 – BYE

The Bulldogs have done all they can, finishing the regular season with 12 wins and 65 points. It’s been an impressive campaign, underpinned by an 11-match winning streak that is still alive.

Despite sitting atop the ladder heading into the final round, Brothers (63 points) and Easts (61) could push Wests down to third and drop them into a sudden-death semi-final against Bond.

To lock in the minor premiership, Wests need Brothers to lose and Easts to not record a bonus-point win, while to finish second, they will need at least one of those sides to lose. 

If Easts and Brothers lose, Wests are set for the aforementioned knock out finals game. 

2nd) Brothers – 63pts, 12 wins, +165 – vs Souths (A)

The Brethren can claim the minor premiership for a second straight year with a win over Souths this Saturday.

A four-point win will push them to 67 points, out of reach for both Wests and Easts. 

If they draw or lose, they risk falling to third depending on the Easts result.

3rd) Easts – 61pts, 12 wins, +117 – vs GPS (A)

The Tigers are still in the hunt for the minor premiership and have a strong chance of cracking the top two.

A bonus-point win would lift them to 66 points – enough to finish second or even first if Brothers lose or draw.

A regular win would take them to 65 points, but with an inferior points differential to Wests, they would still finish third – unless Brothers slip up against Souths.

Anything less than four points, and Easts will remain third and face Bond in the minor semi-final.

4th) Bond – 47pts, 8 wins, –1 – vs Norths (A)

The Bull Sharks are locked into fourth after last week’s win over GPS and already know what’s coming: a minor semi-final next Sunday at Sunnybank, against whichever side finishes third.

Their opponent is still up in the air – but will be one of Wests, Brothers or Easts.

Saturday’s clash with Norths is about building momentum and making a statement ahead of finals. Mick Heenan’s side has found form at the right time of the season and loom as a dangerous opponent.

The Spoilers:

Souths (5th – 40pts): Out of finals but can spoil Brothers’ minor premiership hopes with an upset win.

GPS (7th – 33pts): No path to finals, but a win over Easts could heavily complicate the Tigers’ road to the decider.

UQ (6th – 34pts) and Norths (8th – 32pts): Finals off the table, but a final-round win offers bragging rights and a good end to the season.