The Whitehaven Coal Group 4 First Grade Premiership is still wide open with any number of possibilities emanating from the four first grade fixtures this weekend.
One thing is for sure: Moree will be minor premiers and host the Major Semi-Final on Saturday, August 24.
Just who they play and who will make up the Minor Semi-Final will be decided this weekend.
Moree has the bye and will have a much-needed rest after copping a few injuries at Boggabri on Sunday.
Richard Simpson (groin/hamstring) and Jack Durheim (calf) limped off at Jubilee Oval, Boggabri on Sunday in their 38-32 win over the gallant 12-man Roos.
Both will enjoy the week off for the bye but could be doubtful starters in the Major Semi in two weeks.
Werris Creek suffered some injuries too in their 46-20 win over Dungowan at Dungowan.
Cody Tickle (rib) and Harlee Millgate were replaced early in that game and Cody was in a fair bit of pain when Group 4 Media caught up with him at the Dungowan Tavern.
He couldn’t have won a boat race let alone take a playful push from a 66-year-old fan in the Tavern.
Werris Creek will be a sitting duck for the Bears at David Taylor Oval on Saturday without Tickle and Millgate.
Remember the Bears dominated the Creek 30-18 in the first round encounter at Jack Woolaston Oval.
And it is ironic how the game can change so quickly.
Two weeks ago the Magpies were celebrating their best performance of the season with a 40-32 win over previously unbeaten Moree.
Now they have a desperate North Tamworth looming. A win and they play in the major semi. Lose and they will plummet to third if Kootingal beat Gunnedah at Gunnedah on Sunday.
If they win they will have the added bonus of being the side to kick the reigning premiers (Norths) out of the premiership race.
On the flip side it could be North Tamworth’s resurrection. They could finish in a three-way tie for third with Kootingal and Boggabri depending on final round results at Gunnedah (v Kootingal) and Boggabri (v Dungowan).
Boggabri has the better for and against record a +209 compared to North Tamworth’s +197 and Kootingal’s +192.
Just 17 points between the trio!
It makes Boggabri’s effort to be beaten by just six points at home with 12 men for 51 minutes against Moree even more meritorious and important.
Boggabri coach Shane Rampling didn’t miss that effort and while beaten he was full of pride for his side while discussing a few tactics in the Boggabri Services Club post game.
While the make-up of the first grade semi-finals is still up in the air, so too are the lower grades.
Just who will play Moree in the second grade major semi-final is undecided with Werris Creek and Dungowan in the hunt.
Gunnedah will finish fourth but could knock Dungowan out of the major semi at home on Sunday.
Kootingal could also snare a semi-final berth if it can beat Gunnedah and have Dungowan beat Boggabri.
The Ladies League Tag is also open after North Tamworth hammered Kootingal 34-nil last Saturday to leapfrog them to the top of the comp.
Werris Creek could also earn a major semi-final spot if it can beat Norths at home on Saturday and have Gunnedah beat Dungowan on Sunday at Gunnedah.
That would also earn Gunnedah a semi-final berth!
And in the Under 18’s North Tamworth and Narrabri are vying for the fourth and final final berth although North do have the far better for and against on their side.
THIS WEEK -Round 18.
Saturday, August 17 – Boggabri v Dungowan (Jubilee Oval, Dungowan), Werris Creek v North Tamworth (David Taylor Park, Werris Creek).
Sunday, August 18 – Gunnedah v Kootingal (Kitchener Park, Gunnedah), Narrabri v Wee Waa (Collins Park, Narrabri). Moree bye.
WHITEHAVEN COAL GROUP 4 FIRST GRADE (For and against in brackets):
Moree 32 (752-292)
Werris Creek 26 (556-314)
Kootingal 25 (510-318)
Boggabri 23 (556-347)
North Tamworth 23 (542-345)
Gunnedah 17 (406-394)
Dungowan 14 (365-440)
Wee Waa 5 (30-800)
Narrabri 6 (234-780)
WHITEHAVEN COAL SECOND GRADE
Moree 30 (504-181)
Dungowan 27 (507-217)
Werris Creek 26 (374-242)
Gunnedah 23 (355-346)
Boggabri 20 (292-324)
Kootingal 19 (242-360)
North Tamworth 13 (278-294)
Narrabri 6 (161-729)
WHITEHAVEN COAL LADIES LEAGUE TAG
North Tamworth 31 (510-56)
Kootingal 30 (516-106)
Werris Creek 28 (404-105)
Dungowan 22 (338-130)
Gunnedah 22 (274-148)
Moree 13 (177-334)
Wee Waa 9 (68-542)
Narrabri 8 (82-548)
Boggabri 7 (104-504)
WHITEHAVEN COAL UNDER 18
Dungowan 30 (524-175)
Werris Creek 25 (396-242)
Kootingal 21 (326-216)
North Tamworth 18 (325-318)
Narrabri 16 (319-418)
Wee Waa 6 (64-586)
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