By Tallon Smith

The Moree Boars erased the pain of last year’s defeat to North Tamworth in Sunday’s Group 4 Grand Final after they defeated Boggabri 40-18 to claim the premiership on their home ground at Boughton Oval.

The club’s seven tries to three victory marked the first time that a club outside of Tamworth has won the Group 4 title since Wee Waa’s famous triumph in 2004 when hometown hero Jamie Lyon returned to guide the Panthers to the premiership.

Moree Boars President Todd Mitchell said that the win brought a sense of relief to the squad and the entire club, especially after the pressure last year’s defeat brought upon them this season, where what looked like a potential Clayton Cup season failed to yield a title for the club.

“It’s 22 years since we won our [the 2002] premiership against West Tamworth here in Moree and that’s the last premiership we won,” he said.

“I’ve been around the club since that time, and it’s a weight off your shoulders to be honest with you, there’s a sense of relief. 

“The pressure’s off because we’ve had a little bit of expectation on us the last couple years to do well and [been unlucky] the last few years, but this year topped it.”

The Boars’ club culture is the cornerstone of their success, with consecutive Grand Final appearances leading to this year’s First Grade premiership also coupled with back to back premierships in Reserve Grade over the past two seasons.

“We’ve worked really hard the last few years to build up a good club culture, and we’ve done that,” Mitchell said.

“The idea is you’ve got to want every player to buy into what you’re trying to do, and you want every player to love the club, that’s very important. 

“You’ve got to love the club, you just can’t go and play for a club, you’ve actually got to like and love the club, and I think everyone in the side loves the club. 

“I think if you love the club and you get on well with each other, you’re more than halfway there.”

In regards to the town, Mitchell said the side received amazing support in the lead into the match, and were cheered on by a massive crowd at the game on Saturday.

“As for the town, we saw people at the footy on the weekend that we haven’t seen at the footy before, the crowd was huge,” he said.

“We had one lady tell me today that her son who’s seven years old went home and just wants to play footy.

“And that’s what it means, [if] young kids come and watch it, you want them walking away wanting to play the game.”

While Moree may have emerged victorious, one must admire Boggabri as well, who qualified for their first top grade Grand Final since their 1964 triumph over West Tamworth.

The Roos may have gone down in the match, however their efforts to qualify for a Group-level First Grade Grand Final with a population of just 800 people remains a remarkable feat that will go down in bush footy folklore.