TUMUT will be sweating on the availability of Ignus Ferreira for Saturday's first division grand final, after the centre was red carded in the dying stages of Saturday's preliminary final.
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The Bulls scored a 33-24 win over Temora at Jarrah Park, but a fight broke out with four minutes remaining casting doubts Ferreira's place in the decider.
Two Temora players and Ferreira were red carded following the incident, with all to front the judiciary on Tuesday.
It's not the ideal preparation for Tumut, ahead of its first first grand final in eight years.
Jumping out to a fast start the Bulls led 12-0 before Temora levels at 12-all.
Tumut scored again to take take a seven-point lead at the break before Niko Degei locked the scores up again shortly after half-time and then Rafa Niumataiwalu put the Tuskers in front for the first time.
From there the defending premiers didn't gave enough answers, with the Bulls putting on two more tries to book their first grand final appearance since 2006.
Coach Tim Graham was happy to earn a place in the grand final, but still believes the team has plenty to work on in the lead-up.
Their defence is something Graham still wants to improve on before taking on Wagga City.
"They were pretty impressive against Temora last week, I watched that game and think they will be a bit bigger challenge," Graham said.
"We are happy to be in the grand final as its been a while since first grade has been in the grand final, but I wasn't overly happy with our performance.
"I'm pretty disappointed with how we played in the first half and will try to rectify that this weekend and get ready for Wagga City."
After a horrible season last year scoring four wins, the transformation of the mountain club has been swift.
Making the premier division this season, the Bulls have added attacking flair to complement a traditionally strong forward pack with Graham at the helm.
"We were very disappointed not to make the top four, but when you reflect back on the how far we've come from last year, it is satisfying to be in a grand final this weekend," he said.
The Bulls had wingers Gavin Duffy and Brad Gorman backing up from second grade, and awaiting Ferreira's result at the judiciary, the Bulls came through the tough clash relatively unscathed on the injury front.