Last week, forward power helped the Red Devils get over the line against Pirates.

Tomorrow that’s where they expect the Bulls  to try to  make their mark.

“They’ll try to roll over the top of us in the forwards,” Red Devils co-coach Tim Walsh said.

Not allowing that to happen will be the key.

“We’ll have to play well everywhere, but control them getting a roll-on,” he said.

He said it was going to be a difficult assignment for them, one made  more difficult by losing three of last week’s side.

Prop Murray O’Keefe and winger Jacob Murray both have work commitments.

Fullback Oscar Hunt is also unavailable tomorrow.

On the plus side they do get Scott Mitchell back.

“It’ll be a big test for us,” Walsh said.

But one they’ll face with a renewed confidence after last week’s win.

“It’s done wonders for their confidence,” Walsh said.

And while it is only the second round, a win would be a big boost to their top five hopes.

“We would have played, what everyone imagines, two of the higher ranked teams in the first two weeks,” he said.

Two wins would have them sitting pretty well.

And one of them away.

Away wins are a premium and could be the difference between making the top tier or not.

The Bulls already have one in their favour after a last-gasp win over Walcha that has only fuelled Walsh’s 

expectations. 

“They obviously just beat Walcha but Walcha are tough to beat at home,” he said.

What he also took from that is that it’s going to be a lot more competitive to get into the top five this season.

There were only four points in it between Inverell and Scone, and Tamworth were also impressive.

As well as the forwards, Walsh is also wary of the fact that the Bulls can go from being behind to being in the game very quickly and will be looking for a bit more consistency from the Red Devils than last week.

They played well in patches but then dropped off.

He had  been half-expecting that to be the case though.

In other games tomorrow, Barraba is at home to Scone, Narrabri travels to Quirindi, Inverell heads to Walcha and Pirates host the local derby.