Brenton Cochrane has put retirement plans on hold to resume the pursuit of his first rugby league premiership and continue playing the sport that he loves, and the 39-year-old has looked as good as ever across the opening two weeks of the 2023 Group 4 Rugby League campaign.

The former Narrabri Blues gun is playing for Moree Boars this season, a side that he helped guide to the finals last year.

The Boars bowed out against North Tamworth in the preliminary final in 2022, but they look like the team to beat so far this season, having won a combined 128-46 in two matches.

Cochrane is playing a key role in his team’s early success. He played at five-eight in a 46-28 home ground win against Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters in round one and was the star of the show as he earned three Group 4 best and fairest points for a man-of-the-match performance, during which he scored two tries.

He then ran out in the number 13 jersey at Collins Park in round two on Sunday, where his Boars dismantled the Narrabri Blues 82-18.

He scored two tries against the side he captain-coached in 2019 and he brought both sets of fans to their feet with several incredible runs and a classy all-round performance.

Cochrane spoke to Group 4 Media last week regarding his decision to put retirement on hold and said he liked his side’s chance in 2023.

“I changed my mind,” he said.

“I was able to reflect and knew Moree were still in a position to push for a grand final.”

“I didn’t need much convincing.

“I was still half fit from last year too, and I’d kept fit over the off-season.

“I’d also kept myself fairly active as well. I weighed it up and thought our chances were pretty good to give it a good crack this year.”

Cochrane’s team ran in 14 tries in Sunday’s win at Collins Park. William Baker crossed for four of them, and former Narrabri gun Jamie Sampson scored a hat-trick in his first game of the year. Adrian Smith, Jake Tighe, Jason Saunders, Luke Hetherington and Brent McDonald all claimed one each. Smith also added 26 points off the boot via 13 goals.

Jess O’Neill was one of the Narrabri Blues’ best in round two as he scored a try and polled one Group 4 best and fairest point.

His teammates Nick Tomlinson and Rob Condran also crossed for a try each, and captain-coach Josh Trindall
slotted three goals.

It was a clean sweep on the day for the Boars as they beat the Blues 48-4 in reserve grade, 30-18 in under-18s and 14-6 in ladies league tag.

Making the day even more special for Cochrane was the fact he watched his son Isaiah produce a brilliant performance in the under-18s match for Narrabri. The youngster crossed for two tries and also earned two Group 4 best and fairest points.

In round three, Narrabri will travel away to take on North Tamworth this Sunday and the Boars will play away at Gunnedah against the Bulldogs on the same day.

Those two clubs were involved in close first grade games in round two.

Gunnedah went down 20-18 away from home against Dungowan and the Bears won 22-20 away from home against Kootingal-Moonbi.

The other second-round match saw Werris Creek Magpies beat Boggabri Kangaroos 56-4 at Werris Creek.

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