Shepparton Bulls beat Melton

Fili Fili and Rossetti Tafaoga each scored two tries for the Bulls with Poonokerisiano Tuiletufuga and Sauiluma Onolima-Iulio also crossing over in the win.

Coach Mark Stevens said his side had ground out a solid win that held it in good stead for the approaching finals.

"They're a strong team, but they probably scored more points than we would have liked," he said.

"The guys battled it out pretty well, I felt we controlled most of the game and managed to put a few points on the board.

"It was actually the first time we'd played their full side and it was good to see what they're like. They certainly have a big forward pack, but I felt we matched them up front and then our backs scored the points.

"We always had a lead and felt comfortable, they didn't threaten us too much. They just got a roll on a couple of times, we lacked a few numbers on the bench and that means your intensity goes down in the second half."

In another balanced team performance, captain Lee-Roy Huthmann-Grace again stood out, along with flanker Moronae Silaga.

"It was a real captain's game, (Huthmann-Grace) led really well, kept everyone calm, and his negotiations and interactions with the referee were really good, he communicated that well to the side," Stevens said."Moronae Silaga just does what he does, he put in some really strong carries and defensive work."

The Bulls face Monash University this weekend in a game they would expect to win well, having won the season's earlier two meetings by a combined 85 points.

With only two games before finals, Stevens said his side's preparations were well and truly underway.

"We can't wait for it really, we've just got to get these couple of games out of the way," he said.

"We'll rest a few this week and next week to get the best preparation for finals. There's a few ex-players from last year helping out, we've got a few injuries and I really need everyone 100 per cent come finals time."