Four sides are locked on 36 points separated by only for and against heading into Round 17 of the BRL Premier A Grade competition.
With a top five finals format and six clubs still in contention, the questions remains; who misses out and who gets a second chance finals spot?
West Brisbane have returned to the top of the ladder and they will host last year’s grand finalist Wynnum Manly Juniors from 3pm on Saturday.
The Panthers prevailed in Round 8, 30-18 at Kitchener Park. The Seagulls have had two weeks off after returning to their best against the Hounds on July 15, 42-22.
The second half of the season has been disjointed from both squads and with finals on the horizon and the possibility of meeting again later in the month, there is a lot to play for both on the ladder and in mind games that come with a win.
The Panthers are relatively unchanged from their win against the Magpies. With speed on either side, halves Simon Brittain-Snowden and the 'iceman' Tobias Westcott have plenty of options to put in the corner.
The Seagulls bench has some testosterone to come on with Blake ‘Gomer’ Pyle, Justin Smith and the human skewer Simione Fatafehi ready to cause carnage.
Both sides have been guilty of slow starts. First out of the blocks should salute the judge first.
Balmoral Recreational Reserve from 3.15pm will see the Bulldogs host the Hounds. Both squads have not been to the vet and will bring that mongrel to the leafy suburb of Bulimba.
The home side’s brief sitting at the top has come to an end for now. A loss to the Roosters will not favour Normanby, as Bulimba will look to learn from a last start loss.
Normanby was denied by 30 seconds against the Panthers and will look to go one better against Bulimba.
Normanby’s bench will need to be frothing at the mouth when called on. Nicholas ‘Swing’ Loz, Bayden ‘Marilyn’ Manson and Bayden ‘Tsunami’ Semu will not disappoint.
For Bulimba they have three prolific ball runners - Emmanuel Kiddie, Jack ‘Michael’ Miers and Jordan Plath - to create uncertainty.
The Magpies' finals hopes have ended but they could also have the Diehards walking a tightrope with a win at Brandon Park from 4.30pm.
The Diehards survived a late charge from Beenleigh last start while the Magpies got off to a good start against the Panthers only to be run down in the second half.
The Diehards ran out winners 24-18 at Emerson Park in Round 8 on their previous meeting.
The Pride will call on their home supporters at Hammel Park with a 4.30pm kickoff against the Roosters.
Brighton have won seven in a row to sit in third place while Beenleigh's loss to Valleys in Round 16 propelled them out of the top five, so the Pride must win to stay in calculations, while Brighton would cement a top three position.
The Pride have two wizards to conjure up tricks in L.J. Waddups and David Quinlin. Throw in line breaker Zac Hamilton, the Pride could well end the Roosters run.
The northerners have some sorcerers of their own. 'King' Arthur Brown, Brock ‘Winged’ Kehl and Liam ‘Nasty’ Gash have their own bag of tricks to bring to the south. Last start: Brighton 52, Beenleigh 10.
