MOREE Boars will be at full strength for Saturday’s Whitehaven Coal Group 4 first-grade grand-final against Boggabri Kangaroos.
The Michael Watton captained Boars have no injury concerns and will also stage their first home grand -final in more than 20 years on what could be a hot day.
The bureau has forecast 29 degrees for Moree on Saturday. That, along with being at home, will give Moree an extra advantage, Watton told Geoff Newling.
“That’s our strongest side,” Watton said.
“We haven’t had a home grand-final for a long while.”
Moree lost to North Tamworth in last year’s decider at Jack Woolaston Oval, before carrying almost all before them this season.
The minor premiers have lost just once, to Werris Creek at Werris Creek, earlier this season but then rebounded to Werris Creek by 40 points in the major-semi at Boughton Oval.
Boggabri beat Werris Creek at Werris Creek last week to earn a crack at the Boars.
The Boars have won both games against Boggabri, 34-18 in the first round and 38-32 in the second round.
“That’s the best side we can put on the paddock,” Watton said.
“Just got to perform well, play well on the day.”
He said the side has prepared well, trained well and want to play well on a special day.
“It’s pretty simple really, run hard, tackle hard and control the ball,” he said.
“Any side that does that and has the majority of possession usually wins. We want to starve them of the ball,” he said, with a match plan to ensure the momentum of the game goes Moree’s way.
That the temperature could be a hot 29 degrees on Saturday also fills Watton with confidence.
“The hot conditions will suit us,” he said.
Watton has a team of attacking threats starting at fullback with Lachlan McGrady and continuing through a brilliant backline containing centres Mark Pegus and Alex Barker Junior and wingers Dereik Newman and Jake Tighe.
Halves Jamie Sampson and Watton control the attack with a forward pack led by props Chris Vidler, Daniel Jobson and Jack Mitchell. Lock Jack Durheim is another major organiser while backrowers Brenton Cochrane and Brent McDonald offer differing aspects – Cochrane’s brilliant attack in and around the ruck and McDonald’s defensive prowess as well as an ability to run the holes in attack.
Joe Wade, Cameron Rodgers and Marshall Barker also provide plenty of attacking thrust off the bench.
MOREE BOARS: 1 Lachlan McGrady, 2 Jake Tighe, 23 Alex Barker Junior, 4 Mark Pegus, 5 Dereik Newman, 6 Jamie Sampson, 7 Michael Watton (capt-coach), 8 Chris Vidler, 9 Zac Sampson, 10 Daniel Jobson, 11 Brenton Cochrane, 12 Brent McDonald, 13 Jack Durheim, 14 Cameron Rodgers, 15 Joe Wade, 16 Jack Mitchell, 17 Marshall Barker.
BOGGABRI KANGAROOS: 1 Ash White, 2 Josefa Goanduadua, 3 Pita Rogasau, 4 Robert Doolan, 5 Epeli Vulaserau, 6 Isaiah Adams, 7 Andrew Wallace, 8 Nick Millar, 9 Matt Gillham (capt), 10 Jake Byrne, 11 Aaron Hobden, 12 Iliasa Kalokalodrau, 13 Jack Gillham, 14 Jack Hayes, 15 Cameron Kerr, 16 Malakai Kovakalou, 17 TBN. Coach – Shane Rampling.
Words: Geoff Newling
Image: Bill Poulos
WHITEHAVEN COAL GROUP 4 GRAND FINALS
Boughton Oval, Moree – Saturday, September 7
First Grade (Kick-off 3.05pm): MOREE BOARS v BOGGABRI KANGAROOS
Second Grade (kick-off 1.15pm: DUNGOWAN v WERRIS CREEK
Under-18s (Kick-off 11.30am): DUNGOWAN v KOOTINGAL
Ladies League Tag (Kick-off 10am): KOOTINGAL v NORTH TAMWORTH
