Narrabri Blue Boars’ first grade coach Craig Gleeson has backed his players to win back-to-back premierships the hard way after finishing fourth on the Central North Rugby Union ladder following a round 14 loss against the Moree Bulls on Saturday.
The Blue Boars travelled to Weebolla Oval for the round 14 clash, and despite outscoring the Bulls five tries to four, they went down 33-31 as penalty goals helped Moree win the battle for second place.
Narrabri were well aware that a loss in enemy territory would have seen them end the regular season in fourth place needing to win three away games in the post-season to defend their 2024 title, and Gleeson is confident they can get the job done now that they have most of their cattle back on deck.
Quirindi Lions were one of two teams that sat out with the bye on Saturday, and the points they received saw them finish one point ahead of the Blue Boars on the ladder.
That earned the Quirindi men the right to host this Saturday’s minor semi-final against the Blue Boars.
Those two sides have met twice this year, with each of them scoring an away win in their two meetings, and Gleeson has predicted that the forwards battle and discipline will be crucial this Saturday.
“I think if we can control the footy and really work them over in the forwards, put pressure on them in the forwards, that will go a long way towards us winning the game,” Gleeson said.
“When we were down there (a 34-15 win in round one), we didn’t get into their niggly-type play that they like. We were really controlled and disciplined, and I think that’s another big key this weekend, to be disciplined.
“Hopefully if we do the little one per centers right and all the small things, we’ll be right.”
The Blue Boars’ coach said that while his side’s goal was to bring the CNRU grand final day back to Narrabri again in 2024, he was still proud of the way their regular season went.
“Our expectations were a little bit higher than where we’ve finished on the ladder, but I think we’re happy after what we’ve been through with so many injuries this year,” Gleeson said.
“We know that it’s now just a matter of putting three good games of football together, and we’re premiers again.
“We’re really upbeat and we understand what the job is in front of us.
“The boys understand how good a footy they can play. We definitely have it in us, which we proved on the weekend in patches (against the Moree Bulls). When we control the game, we’re a really good footy team and other teams struggle to go with us.
“We just need to put our best footy on the field more often than we’re not, and we’ll be very much in the hunt.”
The Blue Boars had Charlie Radford and Josh Schwager return from injury on Saturday after Will and Charlie Turner had both returned a week earlier, and they are hopeful of getting Jock Small and Todd Nichols back for their finals run as well.
This year’s grand final will be played at either Gunnedah or Moree, depending on who wins the major semi-final later this month.
Gunnedah Red Devils had secured the minor premiership with three rounds to play but ended the regular season in losing fashion as they went down 45-38 on home soil against the Tamworth Pirates on Saturday.
That result meant Gunnedah and Moree both finished the campaign with eight wins and two losses each, but Gunnedah ended it five points clear at the top of the table due to the bonus points they accumulated.
Gunnedah and Moree will now meet in the major semi-final on Saturday, August 23. That match will be contested in Gunnedah, and the winner will earn the right to host the 2025 CNRU grand final day on Saturday, September 6.
At the other end of the first grade ladder, the Pirates’ round 14 win saw the Tamworth men avoid the wooden spoon as they finished a point ahead of Inverell Highlanders, who had a bye in round 14.
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