Moree hooker Will Burey celebrated a grand final trifecta at Walcha on Saturday - a premiership, a try and the player of the grand final honours.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 26-year old was in everything as the Bulls stampeded their way to grand final redemption, upsetting minor premiers Pirates 22-5 to reclaim the second grade silverware.
The Bulls' fifth premiership in seven years it's the second Burey has been involved in after helping them defend their title in 2017.
Last year they finished minor premiers but fell at the final hurdle, to arch-rivals Narrabri.
It made Saturday's triumph that extra bit sweeter.
"It would have been nice to be against Narrabri to really get the revenge there, but it was great to win," Burey said.
The man of the match accolades were the icing on the cake, and quite a surprise.
Being named man of the match was the icing on the cake, and quite a surprise.
"It still feels a bit like a dream, I'm expecting to wake up any minute," he said.
READ ALSO:
The first half was a real arm wrestle with the scores deadlocked at 0-all until Burey picked and drove his way over with just under five minutes remaining.
"I didn't know if he'd (referee) count it," he said.
"It was right on the line, and it sat there for what felt like an eternity, but I got it, which was good."
It was a bit of a momentum switch.
The Bulls had spent the better part of the preceding 15 minutes scrambling to get out of their half and absorbing wave after wave of Pirates attack.
They twice had penalties in kickable positions but opted to try their luck and go for the try. But there was no way through the Bulls' defence.
Burey was instrumental in that. He crucially got over the ball to earn the Bulls a penalty metres out from their line with a-minute-and-a-half to go in the first half.
Bulls winger Kale Van Dugteren then right on half-time sliced through the Pirates' line.
Nathan Porter added the extras from the sidelines to give them a 14-nil advantage at the break and put them in the ascendancy.
"It really gave us a lot of energy," Burey said.
From there the Bulls controlled the game, outside centre Brett Wright sealing the victory for them with nine minutes on the clock.
Beaten by Pirates in the major semi-final two weeks ago, albeit at the death, Burey felt the key difference on Saturday was their defence.
"I think our defence really stepped up," he said.
"There wasn't as many holes and we played a lot more securely with the ball.
"Just a lot less mistakes and good solid play."
He felt having that extra game this year, last year they went straight from the major semi-final into the grand final, also helped them. Last year they were a bit rusty in the decider.