Gunnedah coach Dan Martin says the job is "not even half done" as they turn their attention to a potential elimination semi-final showdown with reigning premiers Pirates.
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The Red Devils were crowned Central North first grade minor premiers over the weekend, after the clubs voted to abandon the remaining two rounds and press ahead with a shortened finals series should the green light be given for community sport to resume.
It is the first time they have finished on top of the table since 2004 and comes as they attempt to end the longest premiership drought in the competition. The Red Devils haven't held the symbol of Central North supremacy - the Health Shield - since 1970.
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Martin said it was a bit of a weird feeling to win the minor premiership the way they did but at the same time a nice reward for what has been their best season in nearly 20 years.
"It's a nice little accomplishment for the lads and for the committee that put so much work into it," he said.
That said, he said the players would "give it all away to play in a grand final and win a grand final".
On the adjusted standings to Round 16, the Red Devils finished two points ahead of Narrabri after claiming top spot from them in Round 14.
"We were always in the hunt for the top of the table," Martin said.
"We had a little hiccup when we went to Inverell but other than that we only dropped three games."
It is a testament to the consistency that has been lacking in recent years and has been one of the big factors in their success this season.
In saying that, Martin believes they haven't yet played to their full potential.
"We still haven't put together our best football," he said.
"We've played 20 minutes here, played 20 minutes there....."
He said he had spoken to most of the players on Sunday following the release of the zone's latest COVID lockdown procedure.
"I said I'm not saying we will (get to play finals) but you guys need to start thinking that we are," he said.
Under the plan, rather than the usual major and minor semi-finals, then preliminary and grand finals, the finals will be staged over two weeks (the first of which is to be played no later than September 18) with first taking on fourth and second playing third and the two winners progressing to the grand final.
Martin is happy that "there is potentially opportunity" but said there will need to be consideration to player welfare and safety. At present the players can't do any rugby-related activities, and haven't been able to for now going on three weeks.
The longer the lockdown goes, the longer they will need to get their conditioning back, he said.
"You don't just run blokes out there," he said. "We'll need a couple of weeks of training before playing a game."
But for the moment there is hope.
As to the potential match-up with Pirates, Martin said it "will be awesome".
It will be a massive test.
While the Red Devils have won both encounters this season, the "September specialists", as he referred to them, have had their measure in their recent finals meetings, the last of which was two years ago.
Martin believes they are better equipped this time round and spoke of the belief among the playing group.
Before the suspension they were he felt, also starting to really build some momentum.
The second grade and women 7s sides will also feature in the semi-finals.
