Led by inspirational performances by young prop Devante Manu and the front row and a well-earned double by the ever-reliable Dale Clacherty on the wing, the Blacks ran in seven tries to one to secure the bonus point victory.

The Blacks have the bye next weekend but irrespective of results in the other game cannot be dislodged from third spot and the all important double-chance going into the finals from August 31.

And even better news is that all the other senior teams second grade, third grade and the women's team will be there to join them.

Blacks coach Matt Thomas has called on the Blacks fans as well as the Maitland community in general to make the No.2 Sportsground in Newacastle, the venue for the finals, a sea of black over the semi-finals and hopefully grand final day.

"We made a lot of first-half errors but we just really cleaned up in the second half. We went down there to get the five points and we walked away with five points," he said.

"That was our goal, we can cut it later to have a look at where we went well and not but the result is we finish third no matter what happens next week.

"Every senior team is in the finals - women's, first grade, second grade and third grade - it's a great achievement for the club.

"It's a positive time for the club, a good end to what has been a long, hard season so far.

"That season has finished and the next one is just about to start, which is of course is semi-final footy."

The Blacks will meet the Wanderers in qualifying semi-final on Saturday, August 31, with on a spot in the major final against Hamilton up for grabs. The winner of the major semi-final will go straight into the grand final.

Merewether and Lake Macquarie will meet in the elimination final with the loser to progress to the minor semi-final against the loser of the qualifying final.

The winner of the minor semi-final and loser of the major semi-final play in the preliminary final for the spot in the grand final.

The news keeps on getting better with Blacks forwards Travis Brooke and Harry Chapman named in the Country NSW team to compete in the tier 2 national championships in October.

Thomas said there were strong performances across the park for the Blacks with the defence in particular strong.

"We tested some stuff, we tested some factors of how we play and we were put under considerable pressure there for a few periods of the game and our defence came up which is great," he said.

"I though Devantu Manu played really well in the scrum with Harry Chapman and Runch (Dan Runchel). Our boys stayed technical on them and overcame the size difference.

"It takes a toll on the front row, our guys had probably been the youngest front row in the whole competition when Phil (Bradford) was in and yet one of the most technical,"

Thomas said one of the most pleasing aspects of the game was that they emerged injury free and got more time into important combinations for the finals.

"We're starting to get some combinations which we haven't had all year, We're just starting to see that take shape now," he said.

"All the way across the park, even with Marcus Christensen and Michael Howell in the second row just the way they work together not only in the scrum but around the paddock it's a good sign.

"Travis Brooke was strong. Michael Howell was very good, Devante had a great game. I though Josh McCormack read the ball really well and Lachy Bradford really finished off some fine work by our backline.

"He is starting to come into his own. He is only very young Lachy but he is really cementing a first grade spot.

"He is a versatile player, I like him at 15, I like him at 10 as well. He just suits at the moment with out squad to be 15 and he is really gaining that first grade experience and I think next year we are going to see a lot more benefit from Lachy from this year.

"I've given him an opportunity and he has taken it with both hands. Another young player who has developed into a first grader.

"Dale Clacherty was really good in defence again and he really helps finish off our backline moves."