The top four has been decided in Queensland Premier Rugby despite a week of fixtures remaining before the start of finals.
Easts' 29-15 win over Sunnybank snuffed out the finals hopes of Wests, Souths and Bond, who all needed to win and have other results fall their way to sneak into the top four.
All that remains is the order of the four to be finalised, which will happen in Saturday's final round of fixtures when Brothers, GPS, University of Queensland and Easts all meet each other in an anomaly of the draw.
Bryce Hegarty's inclusion for GPS was timely, with the playmaker scoring a long-range try and slotting four conversions in the Gallopers' 43-36 win over competition leaders Brothers.
The defending premiers led 31-8 at halftime and managed to hold out the Brethren, who finished with a wet sail, notching four converted tries in the second half.
Jeeps can still snatch the minor premiership with a win over Uni this week if the Tigers also upset Brothers.
Easts have roared into contention thanks in part to the arrival of former Wallaby Ben Mowen, who was outstanding again at the weekend, winning plenty of lineout ball off Sunnybank's throw.
He was ably supported by Lachie Kirk, who started the season in third grade but helped guide the Tigers at flyhalf on Saturday in the absence of injured no.10 Jack Frampton.
RESULTS
Hospital Challenge Cup, Round 17
Bond Uni 31 - Norths 15
GPS 43 - Brothers 36
Wests 43 - Souths 31
Easts 29 - Sunnybank 15
SHUTE SHIELD
The attention may have been on returning Wallaby Jack Maddocks but it was winger Henry Paterson who stole the limelight in the Battle of the East, scoring a hat-trick to help Eastern Suburbs to a 33-24 win over Randwick on Saturday.
The Beasties came from behind, scoring two late converted tries to get over the top of the visitors to seal the win.
Junior Wallabies playmaker Will Harrison scored 19 of Randwick's 24 points, with national teammate Ben Donaldson grabbing the remaining five for the Galloping Greens' opening try.
He was not the only high-profile player to turn out, Karmichael Hunt playing for Gordon in their 42-34 win over Norths, the Highlanders hanging on despite being served four yellow cards during the match, with five cards handed out in total.
The victory moved Gordon into fifth place on the ladder, level on points with sixth-placed Manly and clinging to a finals spot with two rounds of fixtures remaining.
Hours before the Wallabies took on South Africa, Nick Phipps helped Sydney Uni to a 47-24 win over Souths, a timely reminder ahead of this week's clash against Argentina.
Warringah prevailed in the battle of the Northern Beaches, holding on for a 28-23 win and surviving a late push from Manly after being up 28-13 in the second half, while Eastwood beat West Harbour 30-17 to maintain a share of first place on the ladder with the Rats.
RESULTS
Eastern Suburbs 33 - Rankdwick 24
Northern Suburbs 34 - Gordon 42
Southern Districts 24 - Sydney University 47
Warringah 28 - Manly 23
West Harbour 17 - Eastwood 30
JOHN I DENT CUP
Toni Pulu did his best to guide Easts to victory with a long-range individual try but it was not enough to get over the top of Uni-Norths, who won their clash 27-20.
Pulu was among several Wallabies and Brumbies to return to competition in the John I Dent Cup, with forward Rob Valetini turning out for Wests after being released from camp in South Africa and Reds-bound Henry Speight playing for Gungahlin Eagles in their loss to Royals.
Valetini was upstaged by another backrower, with flanker Albert Watego scoring four tries for Vikings to help them maintain third place on the ladder.
What a try from Toni Pulu in clubland! #BrumbiesFamily pic.twitter.com/3LFlRVlCln
— Plus500 Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) July 22, 2019
RESULTS
Uni-Norths 27 - Easts 20
Royals 25 - Gungahlin Eagles 22
Vikings 63 - Wests 14
DEWAR SHIELD
Melbourne was handed its first loss of the season after going down to Box Hill 24-21, a Michael Moloney penalty all that separated the sides after each scored three converted tries.
Power House draw level on points with Melbourne Uni after their win over Footscray as the battle for finals positions hots up.
RESULTS
Melbourne Uni 13 - Harlequins 40
Footscray 5 - Power House 46
Box Hill 24 - Melbourne 21
Moorabbin 31 - Endeavour Hills 24
COOPERS PREMIER GRADE
A penalty goal from Fraser Green proved the difference as Burnside upset Brighton 23-20 in the top-of-the-table clash at Brighton.
It was not enough for Burnside to leapfrog their rivals at the top of the ladder though, with the Tigers holding a one-point lead heading into the final weeks of the season.
RESULTS
Port Adelaide 88 - Barossa Rams 0
Old Collegians 64 - Southern Suburbs 19
Onkaparinga 75 - Woodville 10
Adelaide Uni 86 - Elizabeth 10
Brighton 20 - Burnside 23
FMG PREMIERSHIP
Nedlands and Cottesloe have played out a 19-19 draw in their top-of-the-table clash, with a Cottesloe try in the 80th minute drawing them level with their great rivals.
RESULTS
Cottesloe 19 - Nedlands 19
Wanneroo 12 - Associates 29
UWA 31 - Wests 45
