Group 4 has officially completed its 2024 season with their annual presentation night, handing out awards to players and clubs at Wests last Saturday night.
Moree Boars excelled, winning the first-grade premiership for the first time since the 2002 with victory over West Lions (34-18). It is their fifth Group 4 first grade premiership following wins in 1988-89, 1999 and 2002.
The Boars were minor and major premiers, and loss just the one game to Werris Creek (40-32).
Moree’s Jamie Sampson was named player of the grand final. The Boars five-eighth was outstanding in the 40-18 victory over Boggabri.
Fullback Adrian Smith was leading points-scorer with 198 points (14 tries and 71 goals) while winger Jake Tighe was leading try-scorer with 28 including an athletic diving take to score a vital try in the Grand Final.
Four Boars were also named in the team of the year – Jake Tighe, Mark Pegus, Jamie Sampson and Jack Durheim.
Group 4 President Lad Jones said it was a “great night to finish the season”.
He says he will continue on at the head of Group 4 “if they want me to”.
“I’ve enjoyed it,” he said.
“Very different to what I’m used to but it’s very buoyant and rewarding. All the clubs have helped me, and the Board have been amazing.”
He had nothing but praise for club championship winners Werris Creek.
“It was great for them, they put a lot of hard work into it.”
“And the club championship was that close. It came down to the last round.”
Four clubs – Werris Creek, Moree, Dungowan and Kootingal – were in the running for the Creek to edge out Moree, who did extremely well despite not having an Under 18 side.
“Then the Grand Final day at Moree was outstanding. One of the best we’ve had. Four great games played in great spirit. Four real good games, hard fought.”
He says special mention had to be made of the Players of the Year, Callum Hayne and Monique Corbett.
“They were well deserved,” he said of Hayne and Corbett.
“Callum was great all year at hooker for Gunnedah and it was funny, four of the top five were hookers. Callum won but Matt Gillham (Boggabri), Anders Glew (Kootingal) and Dylan Porter (Werris Creek) were in the top five as well.”
“Then Monique Corbett won the Ladies League Tag Player of the Year.”
“She was outstanding. She was the highest try-scorer (36) and highest points-scorer (242) for the second year in a row and won the best and Fairest. That’s some sort of record.”
Werris Creek’s Rookie of the Year, Nate Follington, was also named in the Group 4 Team of the Year.
He was one of four Magpies named in that side, joining fullback Ronin Haddin, halfback Mitch Doring and secondrower Riley Leonard in the prestigious side selected by all nine first grade coaches.
Team of the Year
1 Ronin Haddin (Werris Creek)
2 Emori Waqavulagi (Gunnedah)
3 Mark Pegus (Moree)
4 Liam Hatch (Kootingal),
5 Jake Tighe (Moree)
6 Jamie Sampson (Moree)
7 Mitch Doring (Werris Creek)
8 Lincoln Smith (Gunnedah)
9 Callum Hayne (Gunnedah)
10 Nic Millar (Boggabri)
11 Riley Leonard (Werris Creek)
12 Logan Howard (Kootingal)
13 Jack Durheim (Moree)
14 Matt Gillham (Boggabri)
15 Nate Follington (Werris Creek)
16 Mark Simon (North Tamworth)
17 Tom Woolaston (North Tamworth).
Awards
FIRST GRADE:
Major and Minor Premiers – Moree
Player of GF: Jamie Sampson (Moree)
Rookie of the Year: Nate Follington (Werris Creek)
Player of the Year: Callum Hayne (Gunnedah)
Highest Tryscorer: Jake Tighe (Moree) 28
Highest Pointscorer: Adrian Smith (Moree) 198 14t, 71gls
SECOND GRADE:
Minor Premiers – Moree
Major Premiers – Werris Creek
Player of Grand Final – Sam Tickle (Werris Creek)
Player of the Year – Justin Smith (Moree Boars) and Kaedyn Smith (Moree Boars)
Highest Tryscorer – Mosese Sovatabua (Werris Creek) and Kaedyn Smith (Moree) 17 tries
Highest Pointscorer – Kaedyn Smith (Moree) 172 pts 17 tries 52gls
UNDER 18:
Minor and Major Premiers – Dungowan
Player of Grand Final – Brayden Allan (Dungowan)
Player of the Year – Darcy Weatherall (Werris Creek)
Highest Tryscorer – Sam Archer (Dungowan) 19 tries
Highest Pointscorer – Darcy Weatherall (Werris Creek) 106pts 11 tries, 31gls
LADIES LEAGUE TAG:
Minor and Major Premiers – North Tamworth
Player of the Grand Final – Kim Resch (North Tamworth)
Player of the Year – Monique Corbett (Kootingal)
Highest tryscorer – Monique Corbett (Kootingal) 36 tries
Highest Pointscorer – Monique Corbett (Kootingal) 242pts 36 tries, 49gls
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