This is a repeat of last year’s decider which Dragons won in clinical fashion, but Bulls have grown in confidence and look a more composed outfit since their maiden season in 2015.
Both sides have tasted victory over each other in recent months; the Bulls prevailed in the pre-season cup back in October, but Dragons atoned in November, winning by 47 points in round two of the league.
If the Dragons can attain the same level of dominance around the middle, they will be hard to handle.
With Matt Burn, Dalton Tucker and Coby Reynolds pulling the strings from deep, they have the opportunity to unleash the significant qualities of Ryan Perkins in attack.
Dragons coach Rich Wharton is relishing the prospect of clinching back-to-back titles, telling Sport360: “We’re super excited and know that it’s going to be a very tough game.
“We know the Bulls want to get one back on us from last year, but we’ve trained and prepared well all season.”
“We’re getting lots of numbers down at training. In addition to that, we’ve had a positive attitude and are looking forward to a great hit-out in the final.”
This should be an enthralling, wide open game, with Andy Campbell’s Bulls sure to be resilient.
In many ways they have looked a more effective team since losing against their rivals in November, hammering Abu Dhabi Falcons and Doha Kangaroos by a staggering average of 106 points in their past two fixtures.
In Nathan Holly and talisman Rob Moffatt, Bulls have key men who pose a threat with and without the ball.
“We’re better prepared for this game and we’ve put a lot of work in the lead up to the final,” said Bulls captain Campbell. “Momentum has been lifting every since winning the pre-season cup and we probably got a bit complacent against the Dragons in round two when we lost.”
“There was a lot of fire in us after that defeat and we won our next two games. We want to carry our form into Friday.”
