A two-try masterclass from Wests general Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has put Brothers on alert for a full-on Sumo Energy Hospital Cup grand final at Ballymore Stadium on Sunday.
McLaughlin-Phillips was all class today as he guided the Bulldogs to a 43-20 victory in the preliminary final to end Norths' bold fairytale at Sunnybank Rugby Club.
The flyhalf beat nine grasping defenders in total in his diagonal runs to the tryline, one in each half, to be the difference between the sides.
You can layer on top of that the physicality of the Wests forwards, the opportunism of Fijian Drua winger Joji Nasova and the fight the Bulldogs have harnessed.
Making a grand final looked a world away on May 23 when the Bulldogs were embarrassed 76-12 by Brothers at Crosby Park and were on the outside of the top four.
"I didn't have to say much in the week that followed that match. For a coach and players, it was humiliating and we had to look in the mirror to find answers," Wests head Coach Elwee Pinsloo said.
"Slowly but surely, we built back into the season. There was a massive change to the season after that game and there's no doubt Harry has been a large part of that. It's his composure as much as anything.
"I'm incredibly proud of what the players have done to make the grand final. Even in the past few weeks they have had to cop flak but they used that as fuel and worked for each other."
Prinsloo paid credit to Norths' excellent season and the rally that closed a 21-3 deficit to 21-15 on half-time.
"Norths ran us off our feet a bit in the latter stages of the first half. We settled and got the game back," he said.
"Norths came second for a reason (in the minor premiership) and deservedly earned a lot of respect. Quite a rivalry built between the clubs even if for the wrong reasons."
McLaughlin-Phillips took off on one of his low-to-the-ground, veering runs after just six minutes. By the time, he'd dotted down, he'd covered 60m and left five defenders in his wake for the 7-3 lead.
It didn't help that Norths outside centre Duncan Munn had tweaked his hamstring shortly before and could barely move as the last man in defence.
The power of the Wests forwards went to work for two further Isoa Tuwai tries and a 21-3 lead before Norths got the pace in the game they wanted for a classy counter.
From their own quarter, Eagles fullback Will McCulloch sliced through and combined with flanker Alex Watkins. They did the work to put Alex Flanagan Smith over.
When Norths gambled on declining an easy shot at penalty goal to set a scrum on half-time, it needed to pay off. It did when standout halfback Mosiah Christian looped out the back to slice over.
Straight after half-time, the Eagles declined a penalty shot that would have tightened the scores to 21-18. This time, the gamble backfired as Wests' excellent defensive ruck work stalled them.
McLaughlin-Phillips created the decisive gap at 26-15 after 46 minutes with a sudden change of direction to the left. He evaded four defenders this time before diving over.
Dasher Nasova, a rugby sevens silver medallist for Fiji at the 2024 Paris Olympics, didn't have a great deal of set play created for him but he didn't need it.
When Christian tried a flick pass, Nasova swooped for the intercept and ran half the field for 33-15. It was as good as game over as hard as the Eagles fought to the end.
Norths coach Dan Ritchie and captain Josh Mongard shared a few minutes on the field after full-time.
They were gutted at the result but there are a legion of rugby followers across Brisbane with nothing but praise for how they have turned Norths into a force after being the butt of jokes for decades.
"We had our moments and there was a lot of belief at half-time but it was not to be," Ritchie said.
"The boys created something bigger than themselves this season and, gee, I'm proud of this group."
McCulloch was always dangerous with the ball. Christian was a classy director of play and departing Queensland Reds prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen backed up from 80 minutes in the semi-final with 77 industrious minutes today.
"What Jeffery has given the club is incredible. He's so authentic off the field and he has brought a high level of accountability. Will, Mosiah...both were very good as they have been all season," Ritchie said.
"We're just getting started. I'll be back next season."
You can be sure it won't be another 34 years before Norths make the finals again. The number of Norths' fans at the prelim final showed how much fresh support has been tapped.
Some like club stalwart Jim Bannon had playboy waves of long brown hair in the 1990s. He's now a silver fox but he's been smiling all season.
The third Brothers vs Wests grand final in four seasons is now on the menu.
