Round 15 in review: Hastings Deering Colts

All eyes were then on the local derby between Tweed and Burleigh on Sunday, who were sitting in first and second respectively prior to kick-off.

Burleigh broke away to a 10-0 lead within the opening 15 minutes but then Tweed progressively fought their way back into the match to score six tries to four - with Elliott Speed kicking all six conversions plus one penalty goal.

Tweed claimed a 38-22 victory at Piggabeen and are the frontrunners to take out the minor premiership.

A win against the Sunshine Coast Falcons this coming Saturday should lock it up for them.

The Tigers, meanwhile, will go up against Wynnum Manly on Sunday at BMD Kougari Oval. 

Townsville (third) and Burleigh (fourth) can mathematically still claim top spot, but face an uphill battle and will rely on other results.

The two teams will give fans an insight into what to expect from this year's Colts final series when they meet in a top four showdown on Saturday.

At the other end of the top eight, the battle continues for the last spot to play finals.

Mackay Cutters - who went into Round 15 in ninth spot - edged one step closer to securing that place with a 30-22 victory over the Central Queensland Capras.

They leapfrogged Souths Logan Magpies, who suffered an upset loss at the hands of Norths Devils, going down 58-28.

Both teams sit on 15 points and are split by only three for-and-against points so will need to guarantee themselves wins this weekend.

Mackay will play host to the Western Clydesdales on Saturday while Souths Logan will head to Rockhampton to meet Central Queensland, also on Saturday.

Round 15 results

Brisbane Tigers 52 def Ipswich Jets 14
Townsville Blackhawks 44 def Northern Pride 6
Norths Devils 58 def Souths Logan Magpies 28
Mackay Cutters 30 def Central Queensland Capras 22
Sunshine Coast Falcons 44 def Western Clydesdales 26
Wynnum Manly Seagulls 28 def Redcliffe Dolphins 26
Tweed Seagulls 38 def Burleigh Bears 22

Shout outs

Lachlan West set the tone for the Brisbane Tigers on Friday night, scoring a hat-trick and setting up a fourth try in their big win over the Jets.

West - who picked up Heavy Lifter honours for the second time this year - also had 176 run metres, four tackle busts, two line breaks and one line break assist.

His teammate Casey Morgan was also strong, making a jaw-dropping 190 run metres in 45 minutes with two tackle breaks.

For Mackay, Kane Simon was hugely influential with two tries, 213 run metres, five tackle breaks, three offloads, three line breaks and one line break assist.

Forwards Toby Sullivan and Blake Coombes were also massive through the middle with 246 and 228 run metres respectively and 25 tackles apiece.

For Townsville, the Blackhawks' outside backs starred as per usual, with Jesse Yallop and Cathane Hill bagging a double each. Dudley Dotoi also earned a four-pointer.

The trio all ran over 200 metres each, with Yallop at 291 metres with a stunning 12 tackle busts. Dotoi one-upped him with 14 tackle breaks.

Hooker Joel Baldwin meanwhile had 37 tackles.

Norths Devils winger Alex Gill bagged a hat-trick against Souths Logan while Central Queensland second rower Kurtis Farr had one try and an assist, 176 run metres and eight tackle busts in a losing side.

For Sunshine Coast, centre Pat McGinn scored two tries and had a try assist, 154 run metres and four tackle busts while Blake Woodford amassed 195 run metres with three tackle breaks.