The Cannons finished the season in fifth position, nine points behind the Port Macquarie Pirates, who locked up the last finals spot in fourth.

However, the club still celebrated loudly as their reserve grade side snuck into the finals series after the Hastings Valley Vikings defeated the Southern Cross University Marlins 26-12.

The result meant the Cannonballs, who had a bye on Saturday, held onto fourth place on the ladder and will face the Coffs Harbour Snappers on the road in an elimination final.

The Cannons reserve grade side will take confidence into the match after they handed the Snappers a 54-14 flogging when they last met.

However, the Snappers were victorious 17-13 when they took to the field earlier in the season at Coffs Harbour.

“I feel that we will need to start strong again because they will come out looking for redemption after a disappointing end to the regular season,” Cannonballs reserve grade coach Matt Scott said.

“We just need to keep doing what we have been doing, everything has started to gel for us over the past few weeks.”

After a rough start to the season, the Cannonballs began building momentum on the run home to the finals.

The side has won its last three games by a combined total of 133 points.

Match kicks off at 12.45pm on Sunday.

Also making news: