The Forbes Magpies have been a level above every other side in the Western Youth League up to this point.
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In a southern pool featuring Parkes, Cowra, and Canowindra the Magpies won eight-from-eight, scoring 252 points in the process while conceding just 84.
But from this weekend a new challenge begins.
The Magpies entered the finals as the number one seed and will do battle with Orange Hawks at Apex Oval during Sunday's quarter-finals.
"Parkes were definitely tough but Cowra and Canowindra are probably not two of the stronger teams," Forbes coach Brad McMillan said of his side's form.
"We're weren't overly tested at times but we know we've got to step it up."
McMillan has no doubt his side can reach a new level.
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Going through the Magpies lineup is an imposing task for any rival, with NSW Country representative and captain Jack Hartwig leading the pack alongside Thomas Phillips and youngster Sam Raumati, while in Connor Greenhalgh and Matt Noakes the side has a halves combination with class and strength.
Throw in exciting fullback Darcy Leadbitter and there's threats all over the park.
"With boys like Tommy Phillips and Jack Hartwig, they seem to rally the others," McMillan said.
"If they're on their game the other follow and that's what you want out of leaders."
The Forbes-Hawks battle is first-up at Apex Oval from 12pm on Sunday and is followed by the clash between the Macquarie Raiders and Parkes Spacemen.
The Raiders finished top of a hugely competitive northern pool, ahead of Dubbo CYMS and the Wellington Cowboys.
The Fishies and Cowboys will play their quarter-finals in Orange.
The Fishies meet Orange CYMS in what could be the game of the weekend while the Cowboys face a challenge against Bathurst St Pat's.
St Pat's only lost once on the way to winning the eastern pool but coach Kevin Grimshaw remains wary of the threat posed by a talented Cowboys side.
"I'm only surmising, but I think they like to throw the ball around a fair bit rather than get in the grind of winning a game, bashing out a game," Grimshaw said.
"They like to score some flashy tries, whereas us, we still like to do that but we like to wear sides down. Whether we can do that to them I don't know, they could be going to run us all over the park, try to move us about.
"But I'm looking forward to it and I think the players are too, they're looking forward to playing someone different and testing themselves against someone different."
Forbes and Hawks play from 12pm before the Raiders and Spacemen do battle at 2pm.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
