Jake Rumsby in a league of his own on grand final day

A debut season for the ages ended in triumph on Saturday as Jake Rumsby helped guide the Narrabri Blue Boars to the Central North Rugby Union first grade premiership in front of a huge home crowd.

A 68th-minute try that made it a one-possession game was the highlight of a standout performance that also included plenty of tough carries and crucial tackles as the Blue Boars beat Moree 31-27.

There were many other impressive performers in Narrabri jerseys, and Moree jerseys too for that matter, but it came as little surprise during the first grade presentation when Rumsby was named man-of-the-match.

Not bad for a bloke that had never played a game of senior rugby union just five months ago.

“It’s huge,” Rumsby said of his man-of-the-match award and premiership victory.

“It’s been a great year. I can’t thank the boys enough for welcoming me to the club.

“My wife Gerri has played here for a few years and I’ve always been a fan.

“Coff (president Mick Coffey) has it running like anything. He’s a great president and leader.

“I’ve been mates with Gleeso for a long time and he got me across. We talked at the start of the year and I did not want to commit because I’m too old and I know I’ve got too many years of league in my legs. I was happy to have the year off, but he got me here and I’ve loved it.

“It’s good to win a premiership here. First year of rugby, I’d lost a league grand final and I didn’t want to lose another one.

“We got out of jail today though. Moree were the better team all game, but we held on and got the chocolates in the end.

“It’s a great feeling.”

The rugby league convert debuted for the Blue Boars in round four back in April when they scored a 41-3 win over the Scone Brumbies at Dangar Park. Despite clearly having a lot to learn, coach Craig Gleeson was confident that the second-rower had the ability to have a positive impact on the game, and how right he was.

There was no doubt surrounding his footballing pedigree to begin with though, given Rumsby was a former Canberra Raiders under-20s player and captain-coached Narrabri Blues to a Group 4 Rugby League first grade minor premiership in 2021.

His last year playing league was in 2022 before he had a year off footy in 2023, and his return to the field, albeit in a new code, was a remarkable one.