He has played in each of the Bulls' record-breaking five consecutive Grand Finals and knows pretty much all there is to know about the road to Old Trafford.

But Joe Vagana admits he is as excited as ever as another play-off campaign looms large for the giant Kiwi.

"The buzz is there, the stomach is turning - it was as soon as we finished at Huddersfield on Sunday," said the Braford juggernaut ahead of tonight's eliminator.

"Play-off football is a totally different ball game to anything else. It's knock-out rugby, no second chances. Whoever plays mistake-free rugby will go a long way.

"And you are only three games away from putting a gold ring on your finger and calling yourself a champion."

A veteran of 191 Bulls matches, Vagana's big-game mentality at this time of year is just as important as his on-field skills.

He is one of only three current players - Mick Withers and Paul Deacon are the others - to have starred in all three Grand Final wins.

Vagana, 31, said: "I remember each play-off and each final going back to the first in 2001.

"We dominated that one and had some great players, including Jimmy (Lowes) and Scott Naylor. This really is an exciting time of year."

Those former team-mates are part of the Salford coaching staff now plotting to ruin any chance of a sixth consecutive Bulls final.

With City Reds boss Karl Harrison another former Odsal employee, tonight's visitors - in the play-offs for the first time - have plenty of inside knowledge.

"Salford have got a great pack, a great team all round with great coaches - a few of whom I've played with over here," added Vagana.

"I've also been coached here by Rhino' (Karl Harrison) while Jimmy and Scott have been to plenty of finals. They'll share their experience with many of the Salford players who haven't.

"They'll be buzzing at their first play-off but we'll stay calm and play our game."

Vagana has added responsibility at Grattan Stadium this season with a host of seasoned stars having departing Odsal. "You can't replace your Peacock, Pryce, Fieldens," he says.

"They are big-name players but we've got some big talents coming through.

"Brett Ferres just goes from strength to strength in his first full year, while Sam Burgess is a young kid with a bright future. These players can be just as good.

"As a senior player I've just got to help keep them calm in the dresing room and on the field as the pressure will be on."