Moree Boars skipped into overdrive in the second half of their Whitehaven Coal Group 4 First Grade Major Semi-Final against Werris Creek at Boughton Oval, Moree, to secure a home Grand Final with a 62-24 win.
Down 20-18 at halftime the Boars ran rampant in the second half to earn a home Grand Final.
That the 2024 Grand Finals are to be played at Moree wasn’t looking so certain after Werris Creek led 20-12 late in the first half of the first grade Major Semi.
Moree scored just before halftime half time to make it 20-18 and go on from there.
“We take nothing away from them,” Werris Creek coach Dave Stewart told Group 4 Media after the game.
“They are a good side. You can’t give them so much ball and good field position. If you do you can’t stop their momentum.
“We’ve got no excuses. That’s why they are Minor Premiers. We started slow again but played some good football to lead 20-12. Just made a mistake just before halftime and led 20-18.. We’ll regroup.”
Losing talented backrower Nate Follington midway through the first half to injury didn’t help the Magpies.”
Halfback Mitch Doring was one of the best for the Creek along with prop Charlie Parsons, who started off the bench.
“Charlie was a real powerhouse for us,” Dave Stewart said.
Moree’s captain coach Michael Watton was delighted with his side’s performance.
“We were a little bit rusty in the first half,” Watton told G4 Media.
“I challenged the boys at half time to be better defensively.”
They were. And along with that defence came their attack.
The Boars scored almost 50 points in that second 40 minutes with secondrower Brent McDonald, normally renowned for his defence, scoring three tries!
“He just ran such good lines,” Michael Watton said of the beared backrower.
“When we get on a roll though there aren’t many teams that can go with us.
“Everyone contributed. Our forwards set the platform. Had some hard runs with intent. Chris Vidler, Jobbo, Marshall, jack Durheim, Brenton, Brent McDonald and Jack Mitchell.
“They really grafted our way up the field and got us into some good spots.”
Watton said the “week off won’t hurt us either”.
The club has put a call out for volunteers to help run the grand final, those interested should message’s the team’s Facebook page.
Dungowan won the Second Grade and Under 18 Major Semi’s while Kootingal’s Ladies League Tag also caused an upset when it beat North Tamworth 24-10 to secure their berth in Saturday week’s LLT Grand Final.
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