A spot in the semi-finals is up for grabs when Brothers Ipswich take on Souths Logan Magpies in SEQW Round 14 this Sunday.
The Magpies started the season slowly with just one win in their first five games, but have since slowly pegged back the deficit and with just three games left in the regular season, have a golden opportunity to stake their claim.
They suffered a setback last week when they went down to ladder-leading Burleigh, but a win over Brothers Ipswich on Sunday would see the Magpies draw level with Brothers Ipswich with the finals just fingertips away.
Brothers Ipswich's season has followed the exact opposite path. They flew out of the gates with four wins in their first five to set the early pace, but since then, have won just three of eight and sit just two competition points clear of the Magpies.
A tight 12-4 win over Easts Tigers last week was crucial, as is their superior for-and-against. They currently hold a 116-point advantage in that category and will hold onto fourth spot this week even if they lose.
It would put them under immense pressure moving forward however, as any slip up in the final two weeks would likely see them miss the finals.
Another crucial game this weekend is the Panthers matchup with the Easts Tigers. The winner will sit in second at the conclusion of the weekend while the loser could slip as far down the ladder as fourth.
The Tigers are vulnerable after suffering three losses in their last four outings, but they have had the wood on the Panthers this year, winning both of their contests earlier in the season.
Finally, the Burleigh Bears hit the road to take on Toowoomba. The Bears continued their winning form with a 26-6 victory over Souths last weekend and they will lead the competition regardless of whatever else happens this week.
A win over Toowoomba would all but assure the Bears of the minor premiership, especially if the Panthers can beat the Tigers on Sunday.
***
In Divison 2, competition leaders Souths take on third placed Southport at Brandon Park on Saturday in what shapes as the heavyweight battle of the round, while in Division 3, Beenleigh / Logan City Hawks need a win over Capalaba to hold off the chasing Jimboomba, Mudgeeraba and Beaudesert.
SEQW Division 1 Round 14 fixtures
Toowoomba v Burleigh Bears; Saturday, July 7 at Herb Steinohrt Oval, 2.30pm
Souths Magpies v Brothers Ipswich; Sunday, July 8 at Davies Park, 1pm
West Brisbane Panthers v Easts Tigers; Sunday, July 8 at Kev McKell Oval, 3pm
| SEQW Division 1 Ladder | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. Burleigh Bears | 32 | +142 |
| 2. Easts Tigers | 29 | +84 |
| 3. West Brisbane Panthers | 28 | +74 |
| 4. Brothers Ipswich | 27 | +88 |
| 5. Souths Magpies | 25 | -28 |
| 6. Toowoomba | 15 | -360 |
* win=3, draw = 2, loss=1
Full results, standings and fixtures for all three divisions of SEQW competitions
