With six rounds remaining in the Hospital Cup regular season, seven of the nine teams remain in contention for the playoffs. 

While Brothers appear to be the benchmark, there’s a number of challengers who will like their chances come finals time, if they can win their way into the playoffs. 

Below, we’ve taken a look below at who each side plays in the final six weeks leading into the playoffs. 

Note: Teams don’t receive competition points for byes. 

1st) Brothers – 47 points: UQ (H), Sunnybank (A), Bond (A), Wests (H), Norths (A), GPS (H)

Brothers are two wins clear of the rest of the competition with a game in hand, but will face some tough tests between now and the finals. 

If all goes to play, you’d think Ben McCormack will try to wrap up the minor premiership in the coming weeks and potentially rest players across the final two or three rounds. 

2nd) Souths – 39 points: Easts (A), Bye, UQ (H), Sunnybank (A), Bond (H), Wests (H)

After falling just short against Brothers before the week off, Souths have come back to the pack a little but can give their finals hopes a big boost if they can beat Easts and Sunnybank on the road in the coming weeks. 

3rd) UQ – 38 points: Brothers (A), Easts (H), Souths (A), Bye, Sunnybank (H), Bond (H)

UQ play two teams above them on the ladder in the next three weeks and can consolidate their spot in the top four with a few back to back wins. 

If they don’t, they may need to beat Bond in the final round to secure a spot in the finals.  

4th) Wests – 37 points: Bye, Norths (A), GPS (H), Brothers (A), Easts (H), Souths (A)

Wests have another week off this week, then travel to play Norths in what could almost be a must win match for last year’s grand finalists. 

If they lose to either Norths or Easts, them may need to beat Brothers or Souths to book a spot in the playoffs. 

5th) GPS – 32 points: Sunnybank (H), Bond (H), Wests (A), Norths (H), Bye, Brothers (A)

Jeeps are a win outside of the top six but will like their chances at home against Sunnybank and Norths. 

If they can beat Bond or Wests they could avoid playing a must win match against Brothers in round 18. 

6th) Bond – 25 points: Norths (H), GPS (A), Brothers (H), Easts (A), Souths (H), UQ (A)

Another team with a game in hand, the next month will be crucial for Bond. If they click and win three of their next four, they’ll be right in the mix for the playoffs. 

If they don’t they’ll meet finals bound teams in the final weeks of the regular season and could leave their run too late. 

7th) Sunnybank – 20 points: GPS (A), Brothers (H), Easts (A), Souths (H), UQ (A), Bye

This next fortnight is crucial for Sunnybank. If they can upset Jeeps and Brothers, they’ll put serious pressure on teams above them on the ladder and could potentially play for a finals spot against Souths and UQ late in the season. 

It’s possible, but it’s going to be tough. 

8th) Easts – 15 points: Souths (H), UQ (A), Sunnybank (H), Bond (H), Wests (A), North (H)

Easts have struggled to earn bonus points this year, which has made a finals berth unlikely. But the young Tigers are capable of causing a few upsets in the backend of the regular season which could have a big impact on the competition. 

9th) Norths -14 points: Bond (A), Wests (H), Bye, GPS (A), Brothers (H), Easts (A)

Norths found some form in June, beating Easts and Sunnybank and giving UQ a real scare. They also won’t play finals this year but could easily jump a few spots on the ladder and cause some issues for sides chasing spots in the playoffs.