The Matt Grinter and Jack Walsh-coached side outgunned Moree 36-19 to secure the silverware.

“It was a really tough win but good to see them get the result they deserved,” Grinter said.

Player of the grand final Jack Purkiss gave the minor premiers the lead after 10 minutes and they never relinquished it, an electrifying run through the heart of the Bulls defence from Brayden Jerrard making it 19-nil mid-way through the first half.

The Bulls fought back to within seven in the shades of half-time, but a penalty after the bell saw Pirates take a 10-point lead into the break.

Grinter said at the break he and Walsh just really highlighted to them how effective they were when they were stringing phases together.

“At one stage in the first half we strung 16 phases to score a try,” he said.

The effect wasn’t immediate but, after teasing that they would, Pirates eventually scored through Hamish Mactavish to push out to a 17-point advantage with just under 18 minutes remaining.

Daniel McCulloch then sealed victory for them with around five to go after a great offload from Jackson Sharpe.

Grinter admitted there were some nervous moments in the first half but felt they controlled the tempo for a lot of the game.

One of the keys to that was their ability to get over the advantage line continuously.

Defensively they were also very strong. 

“I was never worried about us being able to score points, it was more us being able to defend a big side,” Grinter said.

But they muscled up well and were able to limit the impact the slick Bulls backline had. It was something he had spoken with the backs about before the game.

“We talked about getting up and jamming them before they could get the ball out,” he said.

He said it was hard to single out standouts but couldn’t go past Purkiss.

“He was pretty influential in being able to shut down their backline,” he said.

“Sam Collett also had a tremendous game and Angus White, he continuously rolls forward and leads that pack.”

Starting to find some good form leading into the finals Bulls coach Kylie Dawson said execution let her side down.

“We just didn’t get the basics right at crucial times.

“To their credit Pirates are a good side. They’ve very well-drilled,” she said.

After being blown away early, Dawson felt the momentum had started to turn their way at half-time and thought if they could have scored in the first 10 minutes of the second half it might have been a different story.

She said Julian Jasper led them well. Rory Keady was also strong up front while, backing up from the U17’s, Zac Parker, Hagan Size and Lockie Smith acquitted themselves well.