While in the aftermath of their four-point win over Walcha on Saturday, the premiers were prepaing to face the Rams in the major semi-final, a final round slip-up against Moree could see the Bulls usurp them.

The bonus point the Rams earned has given them a bit of breathing room, with the Bulls needing to procure a bonus point and prevent the Rams from picking up any to have a shot at finishing second.

The Bulls are assured of at least third, and if so will host the first elimination final.

That is shaping as a mouth-watering encounter with the Bulls’ arch rivals Narrabri leading the race for the remaining finals spot.

The Blue Boars aren’t there yet and need to beat Barraba on Saturday to ensure their spot with Inverell only three points behind.

Gunnedah and Scone are set to meet in the other elimination semi but the hosting rights are still to be settled.

The Brumbies trail the Red Devils by four points but are guaranteed five points from the bye, while Gunnedah have a tough assignment against Pirates.

They will go in with some confidence though after the backs turned on the razzle dazzle to down Scone 46-26.

“It was a really sharp game from the backline. They were pretty dominant,” Gunnedah coach Jason Waerea said.

That was reflected on the scoreboard with fullback Nacanieli Tavaga and winger Aisea Raitala crossing for doubles. 

Adam Mooney also had a big game at inside centre.

“He hit a lot of holes and that really opened up the game for the guys outwide,” Waerea said.

It was their best performance for a while.

“There was a lot more talk and the forwards were pretty structured in terms of they stuck to the general plan,” he said.

Up 27-9 at half-time, one of the most pleasing things was that they continued on with it in the second half. Waerea said one of the key focuses was the first 15 minutes in both halves, and starting well. The only sour note was Joe Duffy and Raitala’s red-cards midway through the second half.