Central North looked far from a cobbled together side as they set up a match-up with Far North Coast for the Richardson Shield at Scully Park on Sunday.
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The Kookaburras were brilliant in the first half in their semi-final against Western Plains, skipping out to a 22-nil lead after 25 minutes and going into the break up 36-5.
They kicked on to run out 44-12 victors.
"It was pretty good to gel like we did for our first hit-out," skipper Andrew Collins said.
They only had their first training run together the night before.
But you wouldn't have known with the Kookaburras producing some nice linking play, particularly in the backs.
"We had a pretty set game plan and we stuck to it pretty well," Collins said.
"Everyone was pretty keen to show Central North are not a pushover."
Awaiting the Kookaburras are a Dolphins side that disposed of New England 48-8 in the other semi-final.
The Lions came our roaring and had a couple of early penalty attempts, which in both instances fell short.
But after that early spurt the Lions found themselves on the backfoot, Country Eagle Alex Gibbon cutting them apart in the midfield as the Dolphins put on a masterclass to lead 36-3 at half-time.
The Central North women meanwhile went down in both of their matches - 10-nil to Central West and 12-nil to Illawarra but were brave in defeat.
Especially in their second game, which they had to play with just a game's break.
It was a massive defensive effort from the Kookaburras with Illawarra enjoying the better of the territory and possession. The final minutes epitomized that with the Kookaburras forcing a knock-on from Illawarra just metres out from their line.
The Kookaburras colts also put up a very competitive showing. They were just pipped by Central West in their opening game 7-5.
They then fell to Central Coast 17-7 before beating Far North Coast 21-12 on the back of a double to half-back Flynn Bowter.
