Moree Bulls second grade side have a chance to claim back the Central North premiership, after a 50-point toppling of the side that robbed them of the trophy last year.
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For the second time this season, the Bulls demolished their 2018 grand final rivals, the Narrabri Blue Boars, this time claiming a 64-14 victory on the Blue Boars' home turf.
Bulls second grade coach Sylvester Joseph said he was "really happy" with his side's performance on Saturday.
"It's a good step in the right direction," he said.
"It's always good to get a win against our old rivals."
Joseph said he couldn't fault the side, who "executed everything they were trained to do".
"They were really hungry to get out there and do their job; they don't need a better reason when playing their old cross-town rivals," he said.
Captain Sam Copeman was, as always, a stand-out on Saturday, while Brett Wright was "outstanding" at centre. However the points went to fullback Jayden Walker, who Joseph said "played his best game for us yet".
"He has a real promising future with the club," he said.
The win secured the Bulls' second place finish on the ladder and sees them through to the major semi-final against minor premiers Tamworth Pirates.
It's the first time in seven years that the Bulls second grade side hasn't finished the season as minor premiers, however Joseph wasn't concerned and said it all comes down to grand final day, as last year's result demonstrated, which saw the minor premier Bulls defeated by Narrabri.
"It's always difficult to defend any sort of trophy or premierships; it's actually more difficult defending than chasing," Joseph said.
"I'm comfortable with where we're at.
"What matters at the end of the day is the result of the grand final, not who ends up minor premiers. Everyone only remembers who won the grand final, not who ended up minor premiers."
The Bulls now have a week off before they face Pirates in Walcha on Saturday, August 31.
Although they'll use that time to go over their positions and fine-tune their structures, Joseph said the week off is more of a disadvantage.
"Having a week off slows momentum down," he said.
From here on out, they're just taking it one game at a time and for now, the Bulls' focus is on defeating Pirates to secure a grand final spot.
"The boys know they have a job to do; they're certainly not getting ahead of themselves," Joseph said.
"They're keen to play footy and play with their mates and if the result goes our way, we'll take it.
"We're happy to go into the game as the under dogs. That's how we're approaching it.
"We're just happy to be there and happy to be playing."
The Bulls hope to see a large contingent of Moree supporters make the trip to Walcha to cheer on the black and white, especially considering second grade is now Moree's only finals hopes following first grade's devastating loss on Saturday.
The first grade side went down 42-31 to the Blue Boars, which saw them pushed to fifth place and out of finals contention.