It was mission accomplished for Gunnedah at Scone on Saturday as they secured the finals spot they craved.
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The Red Devils went into the game knowing what they needed to do to ensure they finish in the top four, and they got the job done 29-17.
As a bonus they will host next week's minor semi-final with Moree's loss to Narrabri seeing the Red Devils leapfrog them into third.
"We're happy," Red Devils coach Dan Martin said.
"We switched off in the second half pretty poorly but we got home."
It was testing for the nerves at times, particularly when from a comfortable 24-5, their lead was whittled back to just seven 15 minutes into the second half.
Last season a game they probably would have lost, they showed good composure and were able to switch back on, Scott Mitchell scoring with a minute to go to clinch the victory.
"We had a plan at the start of the year to try and make finals, both teams, and we've done that," Martin said, with second grade also finishing third.
"There's still a lot of belief in the group that we can go a lot further in the finals."
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They will though have to produce a more consistent performance, Martin describing Saturday as a game of two halves.
"The first half we controlled things pretty well," he said.
Winger Thomas Adams got the Red Devils on the board six minutes in, and with the forwards, as they have done throughout the season, setting the platform they dominated the first half.
But they then "went to sleep a bit" in the second half.
As disappointing as that was, the way they kept their nerve under pressure was for Martin one of the most pleasing, and encouraging, aspects of the performance.
Returning from his week's suspension, Sanimo Navatu was immense for them at No.8, even picking up the three best and fairest points from the referee.
"He stood up today," Martin said.
"And Jono Madden played extremely well again."
They will host Pirates in the minor semi-final with the reigning premiers scraping into fourth, and as Martin put it have "a lot we have to do now".
"We've got a few injuries and few niggles, and got a few things to shuffle around to get our best side on the paddock," he said.
The injuries are more niggles than anything, the only real concern over centre Jamie Mitchell.
He injured his groin and will be a wait and see prospect.
The Red Devils seconds meanwhile finished off the regular season in impressive fashion, defeating the Brumbies 41-5 and will now tackle Gwydir in the minor semi-final.
