Tomorrow, Kootingal will host Boggabri in the Second Division final after Werris Creek got the better of them last weekend, running out winners 46-36 after Kootingal scored off the opening set of the match, while West Lions made it tough for themselves, giving up a 22-point lead to North Tamworth who came home hard in the second half to earn a second successive home First Division grand final.

The Lions led the Bears for 77 minutes before Richard Clegg converted his own try to steal the lead in the final moments at Scully Park.

Now on Sunday at Scully, West will have to get past the Gunnedah Bulldogs  who will be desperate to set up a replay of last year’s grand final and return to Jack Woolaston Oval next weekend.

This year, Bulldogs recruit Danny Read has formed a formidable second-row combination with captain-coach Trent Hilton and, with an injury-riddled season almost behind them, a near full- strength Bulldogs outfit will be very hard to stop after they upset the Blues in Narrabri a fortnight ago in the minor semi-final.

Read and Hilton were huge in that game and will have to lead from the front again if they want to register their first win over the Lions since last season.

The former Condobolin back rower believes  the Bulldogs can progress further if they stick to their simple game plan.

“We just need to go forward all game,” Read said.

“Like we did against Narrabri, we want to complete sets, get to the kick and make them work hard.” 

The big forward has enjoyed this year in Gunnedah after moving for work, although said they could have done without the long list of injuries.

He knows how important his combination with the skipper is, especially after Hilton spent a long period injured.

“We get together before every game and at halftime to talk about what we are going to do,” Read said.

“Sometimes we just say keep going or we will target a particular fringe or player in defence.” 

In the semi-final the Bulldogs’ defence was key to the victory.

“Our line speed was really good and can be very effective,” Read said.

“We were making a lot of errors but have fixed that and are ready to work hard.” 

The Bulldogs have plenty of attacking options in the backs, with halves Shannon Swan and DJ Smith as well as fullback Aaron Donnelly running the show at Narrabri.

They will need to be on their game in both attack and defence, with Lions halfback Matt Nean running rampant in the first half for West last weekend.

In reserve grade, North Tamworth will be looking to get all four sides in a home grand final after they went down to Wee Waa in the semi last week, while the other three Bears sides progressed with some close wins.

Gunnedah and West Tamworth will also feature in the U18s fixture, while minor premiers Oxley Diggers will kick off the day at Scully Park with a match-up against the Gunnedah ladies in league tag at 11am.

On Saturday, the Walcha ladies will take on Uralla at 1.30pm for the chance to have a shot at Kootingal the following week, with the men to start at 2.30pm.