Overview

• Brisbane overwhelmed Gold Coast 14.16 (100) to 6.11 (47) to reach a preliminary final against Collingwood at the MCG next Saturday.
• Will Ashcroft (28 disposals, two goals), Josh Dunkley (finals‑record 18 tackles) and Hugh McCluggage (33 disposals) drove the Lions as Lachie Neale remained sidelined with a calf injury.
• Melbourne Storm beat the Bulldogs 26-18 to secure a preliminary final and a week off, extending Craig Bellamy’s prelim streak.
• Penrith defeated the Warriors 24-8 to set up an all‑Sydney NRL semi‑final against Canterbury at Accor Stadium.
• Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton has a suspected syndesmosis injury and will undergo scans, with Viliame Kikau cleared after an eye knock and Enari Tuala likely out with a calf issue.