Lions beat Maitland 2-0 on Saturday at Cooks Square Park to book a spot in the national grand final. Wollongong Wolves defeated Perth 2-0 on Sunday to claim the other berth.

The Brisbane side dominated chances and finally cracked the Maitland defence in the 39th minute when Tommy Jarrard scored with a header from an Andy Thompson corner.

Shaun Carlos and Joe Duckworth were dangerous for Lions and both forced saves from Magpies keeper Matt Trott.

Maitland started the second half brightly and they had cries for a penalty denied in the 65th minute.

But the Lions struck soon after as Mitchell Hore curled a strike inside the right post from the top of the penalty area in the 68th minute.

It was a deserved win for the Queenslanders, who created regular chances and gave the Magpies few opportunities.

"They are a very good side and the best one we've faced all year, bar the Mariners," Bolch said. "They moved the ball really quick and were very good in the front third.

"I think they are ranked 13th in Australia and you could see why. I think we did well to keep it to 2-0. They were a very good outfit."

Maitland had defeated Tasmanian winners Devonport 3-2 a week earlier at Cooks Square Park to secure a home semi-final but they faced a stronger side on Saturday.

The Magpies were missing regular starters Mat Swan and Joel Wood and back-up defender Grant Brown for both matches. Ryan Clarke, who formed a dangerous combination with leading scorer Wood this year, was away for the Lions clash, although Nick Cowburn returned after missing the Devonport match.

"The only way we could compete against them was if we had our full squad on board," Bolch said.

The loss ended a hectic and successful season for Maitland, who returned to the top division in Northern NSW in 2015 after more than a decade in the second tier.

The Magpies won their first top-tier premiership, qualified for a maiden appearance in the FFA Cup round of 32, where they lost to Central Coast, and made the NPL grand final in another breakthrough effort.

"We finished top four in Australia, got beat in the grand final [by Edgeworth 2-0], won the premiership, made the round of 32 in the cup," said Bolch, who took over at Maitland in 2018.

"From where they were four or five years ago, it's been a great season."

And the signs are positive for Maitland for next season. The main squad, apart from Matt Thompson, has re-signed, leaving Bolch with little recruitment in the off-season.

"If we get another quick player in the front third, I'd definitely take it, but I don't think we need much beyond that," he said.