Macksville jammed the Lions in the final round of the regular competition, before inexplicably being knocked out by Coffs 3-2 in a gripping elimination final.

But there would be no fairytale result for the fourth-placed Lions as the classy Wolves side were left off the muzzle and proceeded to rip and tear in the opening minutes, scoring their first as the spectators were still sorting their foldout chairs.

It was an ominous sign, but the Lions steadied, lifted, and got into the wrestle with the blue, white and blacks, and there was no change to the score at the break.

In the second half both sides tested, and the Wolves defence was condensed, as the Woopi brains trust urged them to play with width.

The straitjacket cracked when the Wolves from a set piece baffled the Lions keeper and many in the crowd with a shot from range which found nothing but net.

The Lions refused to quit and the game wasn’t put to bed until minutes from time when Jack Payne’s long lone Wolf run down the left was finished clinically.

For the hosts, standouts were sweeper Luke Beresford, who was Gandalf-like in ensuring no Lions shall pass; and Shannon James who was relentless down the right flank.

The Wolves will now meet Northern Storm Troopers in the grand final.

In the women’s 2^nd division elimination final, Nambucca Strikers dusted themselves off from last week’s extra-time loss, to bust Orara Valley Dingoes 4-2 in a spectacle at Coronation Park this afternoon.

The Strikers – the minor premiers – will renew acquaintances with Boambee, in the grand final.

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