BRL lowdown Round 8: Semi-final football comes early

There's congestion around the top five, with four clubs within two points on the cusp of the key positions.

West Brisbane Panthers are yet to be toppled after holding off the fast-finishing Diehards in Round 7.

Valleys have lost three in a row after as strong start. They will host Normanby at Emerson Park from 3pm.

Mose and Esera Esera have been named in the backline with the nimble-footed Hayden Rowbotham at the back.

The Diehards need to get back on track and roll out a mistake free 80. They have played sides above them on the ladder for close losses.

Normanby have points in them. Captain Michael McKinnon will be barking his big men to step up to win the early exchanges.

Justin Fai and Kotini Styles-Blake and the rest of the young pups from the kennel need to step up in defence.

Beenleigh, after a much-needed win last week, host Souths at Hammel Park from 3pm.

The Pride's electric backs TJ Kihi, Oskar Enasio and Kylem Vunipolo are hungry for more ball to push for a back-to-back win.

The Magpies are near the bottom of the ladder and if they are to stay in touch, the winning must start now. Rampaging Adam Tuimavave-Gerard, the wily Savaan Tahere and the mobile prop Callum Rigney have to start fast and stay there.

Bulimba of 2023 turned up last week. They will host Carina at Balmoral from 3.15pm.

The 'Dogs, led by Izaac Skyring, have another tough assignment here. Tom O’Keefe and Ethan Jones will be let off the leash for the first 25 minutes and it will be the bench that will have to continue that effort.

The Tigers got home with a last-minute draw in Round 7. Carina’s bench will also need to be coming in with intensity. Harry Spragg, Jack Canning and Madison Beckett want their starting jersey back and will be out to impress.

Frank Lind Oval from 3pm will host 80 minutes of early-season semi-final football.

West Brisbane will take on Redcliffe with Dolphins 2016 premiership winning coach Dan Green now at the Panthers.

Leading try scorer Kyle Van Klaveren will be happy just to get the win but won’t knock back a few more tries.

With the likes of Jalen Reweti and Isaiah Lealiiee, KVK may have to take a number.

Redcliffe have won one out of their last three and sit in third. The 'Phins will be without Thomas Casey but have the likes of Cody Dawson, Levi Wilson and Tauaalo Vaipulu to steer the pod. This will be a close encounter, make no mistake.

The Seagulls are hosting the Roosters at Kitchener Park from 4.40pm. The defending premier will need to be wary as the Roosters are stating find their wings.

Wynnum frontmen JJ Clarkson, Blake Pyle and Kobe Martin will take on Brighton’s Logan Cox, Dilbert Issac and Mali Le Pou in a contest that could go either way.