Teams for the decider locked in after thrilling semi-finals

The last try came with two minutes remaining, reviving memories of the 2018 final when the Magpies, led by David Fifita and featuring Tesi Niu and Tanah Boyd, toppled a Devils team, including Jordan Riki, Ethan Bullemor and Cory Paix, by two points.

The Devils had lost under 18 grand finals in 2014, 2016 and 2018, so they had built a legacy of featuring deep into seasons.

This year promised the same under coach Shayne Boyd – father of Tanah – who helped to mould this promising Devils squad  into finals contenders despite late injuries.

The Magpies were always a test, inflicting the Devils’ first loss of the season two weeks ago.

They sped to a 16-6 lead at halftime today with the aid of a stiff Sunshine Coast breeze.

But the Devils got that wind in their sails for an absorbing second half that had spectators on the edge of their seats.

There were plenty of memorable moments.

Kallum Weatherall-Stacey blasted a dropout 82m before a scrambling Magpies knocked on as they tried to prevent the ball from bouncing over the sideline 13 minutes into the second half.

Three minutes later, centre Shannon Subritzky Stewart prevented a certain Magpies try when he knocked the ball loose over the line.

Tahrell Feaveai produced one of several desperate Devils tackles to hold the Magpies up over the line three minutes after Subritzky Stewart’s lunge.

The Devils were down to 12 men when Jalen Afamasaga placed a pinpoint kick for Weatherall-Stacey to score with nine minutes remaining.

That pushed Norths to a 24-18 lead but the Magpies stormed back with tries to Blake Mozer (66th minute) and Delacruz Ripley (69th) to end the Devils’ hopes.

The Magpies will play the Townsville Blackhawks in next weekend’s grand final.

The Devils have much to cherish from their 2022 season which again underlined the potential of the club’s younger players.

In the second of the semi-finals, Townsville Blackhawks put in a good second half to overcome the Sunshine Coast Falcons to progress to the grand final.

The home side however had the better of the first half and were leading at the halftime break 14-12 with an early double to Brooklenn Mundraby-Grogan putting them ahead.

However, the Blackhawks, who were undefeated all season and finished on top of the overall ladder, hit their straps in the second half to keep the Falcons scoreless while scoring five tries of their own.

The grand next weekend will be played at Sunshine Coast Stadium.