![Devils celebrate. Photo: Mitch Townsend/QRL](/contentassets/2d53e1517f3e4f46ba7abc119907da51/20240901-0e7a9120-mitch-townsend.jpg?center=0.304%2C0.523&preset=hero-primary-wide)
The Norths Devils have made a massive statement on Sunday as they moved two steps closer to this year's Hostplus Cup premiership.
In hot conditions at Bishop Park on Sunday, the Devils dominated local rivals Redcliffe Dolphins - overcoming them 46-18 - to progress to a week three preliminary finals home game.
After a shock 42-16 loss to the Sunshine Coast Falcons to end the regular season last week, the Devils responded with determination and grit, capitalising on an ill-disciplined Dolphins outfit.
The Devils have now earned a week off before they play host to the winner of next week's semi-final between the Falcons and PNG Hunters.
Captain Kierran Moseley was calm and content after the match, saying he was excited to see what his side had produced as they ramp up their finals campaign.
Match: Devils v Dolphins
Finals Week 1 -
![Devils](/.theme/devils/badge.png?bust=202408280148)
home Team
Devils
2nd Position
away Team
Dolphins
3rd Position
Venue: Bishop Park, Brisbane
"I'm just excited," he said.
"It's been a long year. To finish the regular season where we did and then to come out here and play pretty well... we get the break and put ourselves in another good position to get into the grand final.
"It was a big turnaround (from last week). We probably got what we deserved in that game with attitude and how we turned up.
"It was pleasing we just turned up here today and played really well.
"It's a cliché but everyone did really well. The halves controlled it and the forwards really dug deep and were strong through the middle. The outside backs carried well out of yardage.
"Everyone did really well and it was a team performance to come away with that win."
![Devils celebrate. Photo: Mitch Townsend/QRL](/contentassets/2d53e1517f3e4f46ba7abc119907da51/20240901-0e7a9120-mitch-townsend.jpg?center=0.304%2C0.523&preset=photo-inline)
It was a tight clash heading into the halftime break, with Norths up 18-12, at four tries to two.
They came exploding out of the blocks in the second stanza, with Julian Christian bagging his second in the 42nd minute.
This was followed by second rower Oryn Keeley in the 53rd, with Jacob Gagan, Cooper Jenkins and Jeremiah Simbiken adding to Redcliffe's pain.
Moseley said the key for the Devils heading into the week off was to keep the focus internal.
"The break will be good for us," he said.
"We'll just freshen up but make sure we're still ripping in.
"We're a step closer to getting where we want to get to. A big thing for us this year has been focusing on ourselves and trying to control what we control.
"We'll keep that mindset going into whoever we play against in two weeks."
The Devils will play their preliminary final on Sunday, September 15, at Bishop Park.
Valynce Te Whare scored the Dolphins' only points of the second half, with Max Bailey and Aublix Tawha crossing in the opening 40.
The good news for the Dolphins is they get a second chance next week, playing host to the Central Queensland Capras at Kayo Stadium on Saturday.
Redcliffe skipper Bailey said with nine errors and nine penalties in the first half, the Dolphins proved to be their own worst enemy at times.
"There were a few too many errors," he said.
"Norths were good and completed their sets and made us pay when we gave away penalties and errors. It's hard to win a game of footy doing that.
"We've put ourselves in the position to get the second chance though and we need to use that now. We just need to fix up our discipline.
"Capras are a good team that complete highly. They gave us a bit of a touch up at Country Week a couple weeks back so we need to fix up our discipline and complete our sets and be clean with the ref."
The Dolphins were also missing Trai Fuller (NRL) and Sheldon Pitama and Brent Woolf (minor injuries) but Bailey said the late changes were no excuse.
He was hopeful they would get back at least Pitama and Woolf for next week's semi-final and is also keen to get back onto home turf.
"We've been really good at home this year," he said.
"It's obviously disappointing losing away from home and if we want to get to the grand final we have to win away from home at least one more time now.
"We're back at home next week and have to take it game by game."
In the other semi-final next weekend, the Falcons will take on the Hunters at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday.
The Northern Pride meanwhile move to a home preliminary final on Saturday, September 14, taking on the winner of the Dolphins v Capras.
For a wrap of the Finals Week 1 Saturday action, click here.
Catch all finals games live and free at Qplus.tv.
To get your tickets to this year's highly-anticipated Queensland Rugby League grand final day, presented by Ford, click here.