Only Gunnedah won’t be represented on grand final day as Oxley, Armidale, Narrabri and Wests take on the Bears in league tag, juniors, reserves and first grade respectively, with the main event against old foes West Lions sure to have a big crowd flooding through the gate.

The last time the Bears had all four grades in the final was in their 2014 Clayton Cup winning year, and only the girls missed their mark.

This time the Bears girls will be facing that exact same side, the Oxley Diggers, as grand final day starts and finishes with a big local derby.

The North Tamworth juniors are probably the heaviest favourites of the day as they line up against newcomers Armidale, before Narrabri reserve grade look to go one step further than they did last year when Wee Waa pipped them on the big day.

Bears coach Brad McManus said that the club has been buzzing all week.

“There is a massive feel around the joint,” McManus said.

“Having all four sides in a grand final is great and then having them all play at home is an extra bonus.” 

“We are heading in the right direction and ready to go.” 

The Bears had been cruising this season with a record third Clayton Cup on the menu until the Lions pounced in the final round to upset the premiers 44-32 and inject plenty of interest into the finals series.

The Bears predictably hit back, shutting the Lions out of the major semi-final 36-20 to set up a ninth meeting in the past 12 grand finals between the two clubs.

Last year the big game looked like being a cracker early, until a series of incidents saw three Lions shown cards and the Bears take the chocolates.

“That last round loss didn’t hurt us but the job is not done yet,” McManus said.

“We haven’t spoken about Wests and what they might do.” 

“We just need to do what we have been doing all season.” 

The league tag will start the day at 10am with the top grade at 2.45pm.