A "battle-hardened" Gunnedah side will attempt to do what no team has done since round three, 2015: beat North Tamworth at Jack Woolaston Oval.
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Bulldogs captain Reece Jaeger says the side are better prepared to confront the undefeated ladder leaders on Sunday after eking out hard-fought wins over Narrabri and Boggabri in their past two matches.
While the No.6 said the Bulldogs were still very much an unfinished product, the signs were encouraging - including his partnership with No.7 Matt Brady.
The duo were among Gunnedah's best in their 26-22 come-from-behind defeat of an inspired Boggabri at Kitchener Park on Saturday night.
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Both lynchpins crossed for tries in the clash, while Jeager provided the grubber that led to Dylan Lake's late match-winner.
Jaeger and Brady will have to be at their best if Gunnedah are to beat a Bears outfit who have won 37 consecutive matches at their home ground, and who have compiled 298 points while conceding 66 in their five wins this season.
"You've gotta play 80 minutes to win against Norths, and that's what we've had to do the last two weeks," he said.
"The boys are feeling good. There's good confidence, but we're not overconfident: we know we've still got a long way to go.
"I think we've only put the same side on the park two weeks in a row just once this year, maybe ... We're still building but happy with where we're at at the moment."
In last season's grand final, Gunnedah went close to ending Norths' long premiership reign - before losing 34-28.
Sunday's encounter will be their first match-up since then. But while Norths have been strengthened since the 2018 finale with the additions of Josh Schmiedel and Andrew Moodie, Gunnedah have been a work in progress after losing key personnel in the off-season and appointing a new coach.
"A lot of it's gonna come down to us on the day [Sunday]," Jaeger said.
In the round's other Group 4 action, the Boggabri Roos will be looking to make it two wins on the trot when they play host to the second-placed Werris Creek Magpies on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Dungowan Cowboys will be looking to stake their claim to a finals berth when they play host to the Narrabri Blues.
A win would be the Cowboys second of the season and would see them draw level on points with the fourth-placed Blues and the fifth-placed Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters.
