Queensland Reds hooker Matt Faessler will make his return from a frustrating calf injury for unbeaten Brothers in Saturday's final round of the Sumo Energy Hospital Cup.
The Wallabies regular will start against old foes University of Queensland at St Lucia in what will be his first game for the club since 2021.
It will be his first hitout in nine weeks since the Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final in Hamilton in June.
With Wallabies centre Josh Flook also cleared to return from a calf injury plus the presence of long-time drawcard James O'Connor on the bench, the crunch match should attract a healthy crowd.
Reds winger Lachie Anderson and Western Force stepper Mac Grealy, showing his versatility at inside centre, will be on board for UQ. Grealy's step into the No.12 slot is the shrewd idea of coach Jim McKay. It also frees young gun Tom Howard to be at his creative best from fullback.
UQ's backrow of Conor Mitchell, Angus Munn and No.8 Pat Sowerby, a standout in 2026, certainly won't be beaten for workrate.
Faessler will play 40 minutes at St Lucia where sixth-placed UQ must spring an upset to have any hope of playing in the semi-finals.
"We took our time with the rehab and return. It'll be good to get some game fitness and have fun with some old mates," Faessler said.
"It's been annoying being on the sidelines when your job is to play. I've been going along to Brothers games as a spectator and getting in some training with them."
UQ fans, young and old, will be farewelling the storied old clubhouse at St Lucia on Saturday before the bulldozers come in to initiate a major redevelopment.
The clubhouse has been the scene of countless fun-filled post-match soirees, Mad Monday hijinks, sober review meetings, 21st birthday bashes and hilarious antics.
Club rugby wouldn’t be the fun it is without such tales. The infamous “Flog the Dog” episode on University’s Mad Monday after the 1990 premiership is part of folklore.
Under cover of darkness, Uni “commandos” stole the giant fibreglass bulldog from atop the clubhouse roof at Wests and made their getaway in a ute.
The oversized dog made its appearance hanging from the Uni clubhouse amidst a well-fuelled crowd before a spat between the two clubs sorted things out.
In Saturday's other games, premiers Bond University host Wests on the Gold Coast in a shootout for a semi spot. Simple. Win and you're in. The Bulldogs will have Harry McLaughlin-Phillips calling the shots from No.10.
Easts meet Sunnybank at Bottomley Park and GPS play Souths at Yoku Road.
The permutations are many to finalise the top four with only Brothers (71 points) and Norths (54) locked in. Easts (49), Bond (47), Wests (47) and UQ (46) follow.
