They were the best team throughout the home-and-away season and Gunnedah's women's sevens side reiterated that at Walcha on Saturday as they won through to a second successive Central North grand final.
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The premiership that just eluded them in their debut season is now firmly in the Red Devils' sights after outgunning Narrabri 34-12.
"So stoked to be in the grand final," a delighted captain Sarah Stewart said.
"Last year we had to start at the bottom and work our way to the top.
"This year we've come in as the minor premiers and getting straight to the grand final is something that we're so proud of."
Things were looking a bit ominous when Torika Nadruku was yellow-carded in the first couple of minutes, and from the penalty the Blue Boars took the quick tap and Emma Marvel found herself in open space.
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But Izzy Hunt chased her down and made a great tackle, a supporting Bec Smyth then securing the turnover.
They then advanced the ball up the field, and receiving the ball from a quick tap, Hunt put on a show-and-go to finish what she started.
Stewart said they had prepared for the scenario of losing a player.
"We had a chat on Thursday actually about what would happen if we were down to six players and the goal was to keep that intensity with the six players and work our butts off until we got our full team back," she said.
They did, with the Blue Boars only able to score one try while she was off the field.
The Red Devils then kicked away with two late tries in the first half.
Nadruku redeemed herself with a strong charge up the middle to set Christie Chapman up with just seconds remaining. After winning the ball back from the kick-off, Genevieve Vickers then scorched the defence after the half-time siren to put the Red Devils up 17-5 at the break.
They extended their lead again early in the second half and from there didn't really give the Blue Boars a sniff.
"That's our goal. We wanted to control the game today and I think we did that," Stewart said.
It was a pretty complete performance from the Red Devils. They played with good continuity and didn't make many errors.
"Obviously we've improved a lot since last year and our biggest focus is our team," she said.
"That's what our biggest asset is, the girls that we play with and play for really."
