The Narrabri Blue Boars never need any added motivation when they line up against the Moree Bulls, but they have it in spades for Saturday’s round 14 contest against their fiercest rivals at Weebolla Oval.
Narrabri’s first XV will travel up the Newell Highway looking to keep their home grand final hopes alive as they battle the Bulls for second place on the CNRU first grade ladder.
The Blue Boars are the defending champions after scoring a miracle comeback win in August last year at Dangar Park when a Damon Gleeson try after the bell saw them prevail 31-27. The women’s team were also crowned premiers that day when they defeated Gunnedah Red Devils 29-12 in the 10s decider.
That was the first grand final day at Dangar Park since 2015, and the Blue Boars are determined to ensure they bring it home again this year.
The task is not so simple though, as they now need to beat a Moree side that have won seven of their nine matches this season, including a 25-20 victory over Narrabri in round seven.
Gunnedah Red Devils had already wrapped up the minor premiership before they took down Quirindi Lions 23-17 in Quirindi during round 13 on Saturday afternoon, and the other major semi-final spot was locked in to become a shootout between Narrabri and Moree when they both went clear of the Lions to end the penultimate weekend ranked third and second, respectively.
Narrabri did so by beating Inverell Highlanders 36-19 on a wet and wild day at Dangar Park as Moree sat out with the bye and went three points clear of Quirindi after the duo were locked on 44 points going into the weekend.
Quirindi’s bonus point for losing by less than seven points saw them go to 45 points, while Narrabri’s five-point win saw them climb above the Lions into 46. Moree are now on 48 points and Gunnedah have an unassailable lead at the top with 56.
The equation is now simple for the Blue Boars heading into the final round. A win will see them finish the regular season ranked second, but a loss will see them drop to fourth, given Quirindi have the round 14 bye.
There is the slightest chance that Narrabri wins the match in Moree and ends up third if the Bulls earn bonus points for losing by less than seven points and scoring four tries while limiting Narrabri to three or less tries. However, the chances of the Blue Boars beating the Bulls while scoring less tries than them are extremely low.
A bonus point win will see Narrabri charge into second spot regardless of how many points Moree are able to earn, but a draw or a Narrabri loss would see the Bulls hold onto second and Narrabri drop to fourth.
Regardless, the Blue Boars’ coach Craig Gleeson and his players are approaching the match as though the finals have arrived a week early as they look to keep their home grand final hopes alive.
“The (round 13) results were the best-case scenario for us, obviously,” Gleeson said.
“We put on a pretty solid performance, given the conditions, I thought. Then for Gunnedah to beat Quirindi really put us in the box seat and left our destiny in our hands.
“We’ll prepare really well to go up to Moree and play for that second spot.
“I think there is a really good vibe around the squad now. This time of year, things always ramp up a bit, but with what’s on the line, it’s a really big weekend for us.
“There’s quite a bit at stake, we know that. It’s either second or fourth for us, and we want to be second to give ourselves the chance to host another grand final.”
Gleeson said that adding to his first grade side’s motivation to finish second and earn a home grand final day was giving the club’s women’s team the opportunity they deserve.
The Blue Boars will be undefeated minor premiers in the women’s 10s comp if they beat Moree at Weebolla Oval this Saturday, and Gleeson said they deserve to have a chance to go for their third straight premiership in front of a home crowd.
The women’s side and the second grade men both prevailed by forfeit in round 13 as Inverell were unable to field teams in those two divisions.
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