MACINTYRE could march straight into the record books in Inverell on Sunday although the Warriors maiden season has been hailed a success regardless the result of the Group 19 grand final.
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The Boggabilla based side is the best story to come out of Country Rugby League this season, after president Peter Rice and his cohorts split from the Goondiwindi Boars and started a brand new club only to take the competition by storm to finish minor premiers before earning a grand final berth.
“Who would have thought it possible,’ Rice said.
“We have no facilities, and a mediocre ground but we have a fence around it and some good bush footy.”
The Warriors dream unbeaten run came to an end in just the third last round when the hawkls beat them at home, followed by the Boomerangs a fortnight later, although the Warriors are happy to take the underdog tag.
“They beat us in the last round and then again in the semifinal so they should be favourites,” Rice said.
“We were our own worst enemy in the semi but hopefully it woke us up for this game.”
“We are the underdogs but we will be there.”
Last Sunday Macintyre beat Ashford 31-24 in the preliminary final, although the two physical finals have left a mark on the side.
Prop Liam Close won’t return from an ankle injury while regular halfback Liam Close is also out.
Close will be replaced by Derrick Craigie, a veteran of the game that doesn’t mind taking the line on if givebn the chance.
In fact Craigie finished on top of the reserve grade point scorers table, and was just pipped in the final few rounds in the try and goal kicking tallies.
“He has been around for a long time but is quick off the mark and his experience will take him a long way.”
Craigie will be joined by a few other players that have had finals experience in this competition and in others, such as inspirational captain coach Dave McGrady.
“Dave can do anything and this is the next hurdle,” Rice said.
“None of them have been in anything like this.”
“In all my time I have never seen a first year club in a grand final.”
Inverell president and coach Garry Lavender knows what to expect from the new club, after all three of their matches this season came down to the wire.
“There is nothing in it,” Lavender said.
“It will come down to whoever turns up on the day.”
“It will be another great game of football though.”
A huge reserve grade derby between the Moree Boars and Boomerangs will set the scene for the main event, following an U18 clash between the Hawks and Ashford after the Ashford and Boars league tag side kick-off the big day.
*Full Group 4, 19 and 21 finals draw on page 49