Those 9 rows will fill with elites - no problems at all. QF FF is a miserable program compared with many (most others) - there has to be something to encourage people to attain / retain QF status. Of course, top status in any OW program will help you get into Emerald City (on the 388) or just behind.
And by way of comparison, entering a OW Emerald number opens up the full range of seats on not just QF (also JL and Finnair for example).