Proud Blue Boars coach delivers in his first campaign at the helm

‘Euphoria’ – that was the word that Narrabri Rugby Club’s first XV coach Craig Gleeson used to describe the feeling at Dangar Park on Saturday just moments after his side had won the 2024 Central North Rugby Union premiership.

The first-year head coach could not believe how the match unfolded, with Damon Gleeson’s try in the corner after the bell launching Narrabri to victory over Moree, nor could he believe the atmosphere that the huge home crowd provided all afternoon as jubilant roars could be heard right across town.

Both teams threw everything they had at one another, but in the end, the Blue Boars secured the club’s 14th first grade premiership with a 31-27 win after trailing 21-7 at half-time.

It was a dream come true for the Narrabri coach.

“I didn’t think you could get as much enjoyment out of winning one as a coach than you do as a player, but I tell you what, that felt bloody awesome,” Gleeson said.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling. I can’t really describe it properly yet. Just euphoria. That’s probably the feeling. It still hasn’t sunk in.

“To have so many people here from Narrabri and to know what it means to so many people, it’s outstanding.

“It wasn’t our best game of football. I think the heat played a big part for both teams to be honest, but we kept going and we didn’t throw the toys out of the cot. We just kept turning up.

“When we put a bit of footy together, we looked dangerous every time.

“I kept looking at the scoreboard thinking, ‘it’s taken 30 points to win every game between these two sides this year, and they haven’t got there yet’. I didn’t feel like we were ever out of it.

“They had an opportunity to kick a penalty goal right near the end, and they didn’t. It was probably a bit cocky of me, but I said that they were going to regret that, and sure enough, that’s how it played out.

“I’m just so happy for the boys. They really do love each other and they’d do anything for each other to win a game of footy, and that showed here today. They didn’t leave anything in the tank. Hats off to them.

“We had a couple of injuries through the game, and everyone who went on stood up and made a difference.

“They’re a great bunch of lads and that goes for the whole club, through to the ladies. The club this year has been amazing, and that was all on display in that last minute here today.”

Gleeson said that he had not made a concrete decision on his coaching future and declared that he would take a few days to soak in the premiership victory, but advised that if the committee wants him to go around again, he will definitely consider it.