The Stingers put in a huge second-half performance to book a playoff against Town Lions for the last grand final spot in a fortnight.

The visiting side was on the front foot at Alec Inch Oval from the first whistle with front-rower Shannon Aplin breaking the deadlock in the fifth minute.

Coach Sorren Owens, playing at halfback for Stingers, showed great leadership skills directing his players before assisting Travis Fraser with the second try after a well-executed grubber kick.

Things went bad to worse for Black Stars with young Queensland Outback representative Bradley Aplin sent off for a dangerous tackle in the 15th minute with the score out of favour at 10-0.

The Stingers took full control of the extra man a minute later with Fred Pascoe collecting a wonderful cut-out pass to go over in the corner for 14-0.

A line break from Junior Walden signalled the comeback for Black Stars before the five-eighth ran 40 metres to bring the scoreline back to 14-6.

Some great hands from halfback Dion Gee Gee passing the ball to Alipate Goneogo gave the Starries a second try seven minutes out from half-time.

But the fourth-placed side wasn’t done yet with experienced lock Tim Daniels taking advantage of a poor-disciplined Stingers side scoring off a scrum 20 metres out from the try line.

Heading into the second half with a two-point deficit to recover, the Stingers mounted another attack with hooker Kurt Sisyer scoring from close-range to change the lead again.

The game was then delayed by nearly two hours in the 48th minute when Stingers second-rower Luke Carlon suffered a leg injury.

After the restart, the Stingers ran riot on their opponents, scoring another four tries to end the Black Stars’ season and set up a preliminary final showdown with Town.

NORMANTON STINGERS 46: Fred Pascoe – 2 tries, Travis Fraser – 2 tries,  Isaac Owens – 1 try, Corwynn Owens – 1 try, Kurt Sisyer – 1 try, Shannon Aplin – 1 try, Wade Richardson – 1 try, Sorren Owens – 5 goals

BLACK STARS 22: Alipate Goneogo - 1 try, Junior Walden – 1 try, Tim Daniels – 1 try, Jacob Takurit – 1 try, Louis Mothe – 3 goals