With the ICare Group Australia Ipswich Jets breathing down their neck heading into Sunday's final round of the home and away season, the Cougars defeated reigning premiers Bond University Bull Sharks 66-48 to secure top spot on the ladder.
A fast start which had the Cougars up 18-6 at the first quarter break was more than enough for Liz White's team to stay in front throughout at Nissan Arena, with defeat meaning the Bull Sharks finish fourth on the ladder and head into finals with one win from their past five matches.
The Jets meanwhile came from behind to defeat in-form Gold Coast Titans 64-62.
Trailing by as much as four goals in the final quarter, a run of scores by Charlie Bell propelled the Jets into a late lead which they held onto to set up a mouthwatering grand final qualifier against the Cougars in the opening week of finals.
The Titans meanwhile will have to shake off their disappointment as they prepare to face Gold Coast rivals Bond in a do-or-die elimination semi-final.
In other last round results, the Carina Leagues Club Tigers' strong second-half of the season culminated in a dominant 72-45 win over Sunshine Coast Thunder to secure fifth spot - a third win in their past five matches for Katie Walker's team.
Thunder finish sixth on the standings but seventh-placed Moreton Bay City Pulse ended their campaign on a high with a 65-49 victory over wooden spooners Brisbane South Wildcats, whose season ends with just one win from their 14 matches.
Netball Queensland's NetballQ TV, the home of community netball in Queensland, is delivering live and free coverage of the state’s most exciting grassroots and pathways competitions, including the HART Premier Netball League Sapphire and Ruby Series. Click here to access NetballQ TV as the HPNL heads into finals this weekend!