Burleigh Bears and Norths Devils have qualified for the Hostplus Cup preliminary finals after hard-fought wins.
The Bears edged out the Wynnum Manly Seagulls 22-14 at home, while the Devils beat a spirited Townsville Blackhawks 24-12 at Bishop Park.
Both the Bears and Devils now have the weekend to recharge, leaving the Seagulls and Blackhawks with respective sudden-death finals matches against the Ipswich Jets and Redcliffe Dolphins.
Ipswich will travel to BMD Kougari Oval in high spirits after a stunning 25-24 victory over the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
It took an extra-time field goal by Jets halfback Dion Teaupa to separate the teams, a seemingly unlikely scenario after the Jets had dominated the opening stages of the first half to lead 24-0.
The Falcons ran in five tries of their own to level the score by the end of regular time, but the Sunshine Coast ultimately paid the price for a sluggish start against the rejuvenated Jets.
Sunshine Coast and the PNG Hunters – who were beaten 32-12 by the Dolphins – have been eliminated from the premiership race.
The Dolphins will now prepare for a tough week two finals match in Townsville against the Blackhawks.
In the BMD Premiership, the undefeated Brisbane Tigers have been crowned minor premiers after notching their 11th straight-victory.
The Tigers and second-placed Souths Logan Magpies advance to the preliminary finals in a fortnight.
Their opponents will come from the winners of the two elimination semi-finals.
Burleigh Bears (third) play the Norths Devils (sixth) at UAA Park on Saturday, while the Ipswich Jets (fourth) host the Northern Pride (fifth) on Sunday.
Both the Jets and Pride have qualified for the finals in just their first season in the BMD Premiership.
Saturday, September 13
BMD Premiership – Elimination Semi-Final 1: Burleigh Bears v Norths Devils, 12noon at UAA Park (live and free on Qplus.tv and Kayo Freebies).
Hostplus Cup – Elimination Semi-Final 1: Townsville Blackhawks v Redcliffe Dolphins, 2.10pm at Jack Manski Oval (live and free on Qplus.tv and Kayo Freebies).
Sunday, September 14
BMD Premiership – Elimination Semi-Final 2: Ipswich Jets v Northern Pride, 12noon at North Ipswich Reserve (live and free on Qplus.tv and Kayo Freebies).
Hostplus Cup – Elimination Semi-Final 2: Wynnum Manly Seagulls v Ipswich Jets, 2.10pm at BMD Kougari Oval (live and free on Qplus.tv, Kayo Freebies and 9Now).
