Overview

• The winner of Brisbane versus Gold Coast advances to face Collingwood in a preliminary final.
• Brisbane are without Lachie Neale (calf) and Eric Hipwood (season-ending knee), with Jarrod Berry cleared to play and ruck Oscar McInerney in recall contention.
• Gold Coast emphasise their rise is earned after David Swallow’s last‑second elimination win in Perth and a 66‑point QClash thrashing of Brisbane in July.
• Adelaide host Hawthorn in the other semi-final at Adelaide Oval, with Hawk Tom Barrass saying the club’s setup reminds him of West Coast’s 2018 premiership build.
• In NRL finals coverage, Melbourne Storm confront key outs including Harry Grant’s suspension and Ryan Papenhuyzen’s concussion protocol as Cameron Munster assumes on‑field leadership.