Taking on arch rivals Narrabri in the qualifying semi-final, the Bulls produced a dominant display to dispatch the Blue Boars 40-16.

“That was probably the best we’ve played all year,” Bulls co-coach Nathan Holland.

Up 17-6 at half-time, the minor premiers did all the things you want to do in finals football. They controlled possession and territory, and when they got in the red zone scored points.

“We closed it out well,” Holland said.

The forwards did a lot of the damage with the Blue Boars struggling to combat the Bulls pick and drive game.

Twice in the second half the Bulls elected to take quick taps from penalties and scored after a few phases.

“It’s a fairly handy forward pack. It would probably rival first grade,” Holland said.

Playing for the chance to defend their title, he said “everyone was up for it”.

They knew the Blue Boars would be a much tougher proposition than they were when they met earlier in the season, and really focused on when they had the ball keeping hold of it.

It was hard to pick out standouts, but Holland was happy with how the new halves combination of  Tony O’Donnell and Daniel Coulthurst performed, with skipper and five-eighth Sam Copeman out with injury.

In his absence inside centre Jake Cutcliffe assumed the captaincy duties and had a big game as did number eight Jared Snook.

Sam Kahl did score a late consolation try for the Blue Boars, the boot of Michael Cain providing the rest of their points.