WHEN Moree fitness guru Jenny Carter put the Moree Boars through training drills four years ago, she quickly identified Mick Watton as a team leader.

On Saturday, Watton will lead the Boars onto Boughton Oval as first-grade captain and co-coach with Alex Barker – for the second year in a row – when Moree take on Boggabri Kangaroos in the Whitehaven Coal Group 4 rugby league grand-final.

Carter recognised Watton as having what was needed to take on such a role, and told club president Todd Mitchell her thoughts.

“Four years ago I did a whole season with the Boars, doing their conditioning, and also did two training sessions at the start of this year with them,” Carter said.

“When I met Mick on the field four years ago, I said to Todd, ‘he will make a very good captain-coach one day’.”

Watton took on the job two years later and the Boars have reached the grand-final twice during his time at the helm.

The Boars were beaten in the grand-final last year by North Tamworth at Jack Woolaston Oval. This year, they are red-hot favourites on home turf, with conditions to suit.

“Mick has this positive vibe about him and is a very good leader, a very positive leader,” Carter said.

Personal trainer Jenny Carter has thrown her support behind the Moree Boars as they chase their first grand-final win in more than 20 years (Image Copyright).

Carter, a personal and group trainer who owns and runs JC Fitness out of her Mackenzie Street bunker, has draped a banner and blue and white balloons across her Heber Streer residence, in support of her home team.

“I know Todd Mitchell drives past here every day, and I just hope the sign puts a big smile on his face,” Carter grinned.

“Todd’s a really good guy. He goes above and beyond, and so does Mick Watton.”

Many businesses in Moree have followed the lead as the Boars chase their first premiership since 2002.

Captain Mick Watton said the groundswell of support has been inspiring.

“The overwhelming support from the Moree community means a great deal, and I know the boys will  appreciate all that support on game day,” Watton said.

The Kangaroos have been getting their share of support as well, as Boggabri residents get behind their home team.

The Boggabri club has been around for 104 years, and it’s been more than 60 years since they’ve won a Group 4 first-grade premiership.

Roos’ captain Matt Gillham told Geoff Newling he never thought he’d be playing in a first-grade grand-final.

But his wildest dreams were answered at David Taylor Park, Werris Creek, last Saturday when the Roos beat Werris Creek 26-20 in an amazing preliminary final.

After 80 minutes, the two sides were locked at 20-all before a Robert Doolan try in the south-western corner settled the issue.

Boggabri celebrated, and deservedly so.

Not only was it the first time the Roos had beaten Werris Creek, at Werris Creek, but the win handed Boggabri its first grand-final appearance in nearly 60 years.

The Roos won back-to-back premierships in 1963-64 and now have the chance to earn another premiership.

“I can’t believe it,” Gillham said.

“All these years. We never thought we’d make a grand-final but we showed guts and determination (at Werris Creek). We played some good football and, as a team, we kept turning up.”

Words: Bill Poulos and Geoff Newling

Image: Bill Poulos