In 2018, the Magpies dominated their competition. They went undefeated throughout the season, with a draw against the Goulburn Stockmen the only blemish on their record.

Then they lost the grand final, against the Stockmen, 8-20.

This season, in a new-look Katrina Fanning Shield, the Magpies have once again dominated.

Their most recent clash against, against the Boomanulla Raiders last Friday, resulted in a 56-0 thrashing which underlined the side's determination to make amends.

Although the Raiders were under-strength, they were still the second-ranked side going into the clash, but Yass swept them aside thanks to a dominant second half.

"I think our first half was a bit slow," Magpies second-rower, Sammy Afele, said after the game.

"We didn't realise that they were a bit short and we didn't give our best, but I think our second half we really pushed out and gave our best performance."

With memories of the 2018 grand final in mind, Afele said that the team has been particularly motivated in the first half of the 2019 season.

"Everyone's been trying to get to this moment," she said.

"Everyone's been working really hard as a team and as a club to try and get us here, and motivated to get us back to a grand final ... that's the ultimate goal."

However, the team is careful not to get ahead of itself, particularly as the Magpies are scheduled to face the Bidgee Bulls this weekend in a rematch of their round one clash.

Although they are currently fifth on the ladder, the Bulls gave Yass its toughest encounter of the season so far, in which the Magpies did well to finish with an 18-12 victory.

"They are a quality side, and they definitely have some quality players, but I think we can match it," Afele said.

"It's [going to be] a good hit-out ... it makes us play our best."

The Yass Magpies will play the Bidgee Bulls this Friday, June 28, from 7.30pm at Walker Park.