AS the countdown to round one of the Group 4 rugby league season begins, Moree Boars Rugby League Club officials and coaches have never seen confidence so high and camaraderie and mateship so strong.

Players are turning up to training in record numbers as the Boars’ first-grade squad, coached by Jack Durheim, chases a hat-trick of Group 4 premierships while the equally impressive second-grade outfit, coached by Alf Newman and Charlie Shearer, seek redemption after last year’s 22-20 loss to Dungowan on the one day that matters.

Durheim, who co-coached first-grade last year with Jamie Sampson, will go solo this season – and he’s looking forward to running on when the season starts in early April.

“I’m very much looking forward to the 2026 season,” Durheim said.

“We are all very excited about the year ahead as we have a very similar team, and we’re confident we can get that third premiership for the Boars.

“We’ve had great numbers at training since coming back after Christmas and everyone has been putting in a great effort.”

Durheim has called in a mate, Jack Robotham, to help get fitness levels to a premium.

“We’ve changed things up this pre-season and have been guided in the conditioning phase of our training in the strength and conditioning field,” Durheim said.

“Jack Robotham, from Robotham Athletic Performance, will take our fitness to a new level, which will make us hard to beat again this year.”

(from left) Moree Boars’ committeeman Mark McGrady, second-grade co-coach Alf Newman, player Jock Brazel, second-grade co-coach Charlie Shearer and first-grade coach Jack Durheim at training during the week.

The Boars also welcome home Jock Brazel, named Moree Plains Shire Sportsperson of the Year in 2019.

Brazel played juniors with Parramatta Eels in the Jersey Flegg Cup, scoring six tries across two seasons.

He was also part of the 2021 Australian Schoolboys Merit Team and the following year, made Blues squad selection.

“Jock has returned to the area and I’m really excited to have him joining the team,” Durheim said.

“We also have blokes that played reserve-grade last year who have been some of the best performers in the pre-season, and really pushing for first-grade positions.

“We have two trials coming up and these will be good opportunities for everyone to put their best foot forward after putting in the hard yards in the pre-season,” he said.

Reserve-grade co-coach Charlie Shearer said the 2026 season is looking very promising.

“We had great numbers attending training each week for all grades,” Shearer said.

“Our plan moving forward is to keep the club on the victorious path, but also to prove and show our young players and new faces coming into the club, what it takes and how it feels to be a part of our beloved Moree Boars community.

“There are a fair few new faces at the club this year across all grades. It’s pleasing to see, especially how well they’ve been welcomed and how they are fitting in straight away.

“The feeling around the club and grounds at the moment is unreal,” he said.

Shearer said the 24-22 loss to Dungowan Cowboys in the 2025 Group 4 grand-final still stings.

Moree led 22-18 with 10 minutes to go, but a try to Dungowan five-eighth Adam Darlington in the closing minutes, converted by Steven Donovan, clinched a well-deserved win for the Cowboys.

“Unfortunately, going down narrowly last year in the reggies’ grand-final still hurts, especially as it was my first year as coach,” Shearer said.

“But I know for a fact, we will be bigger, better and stronger this year.

“We are all determined and keen to hit the field, and fingers crossed we can get the job done in 2026,” he said.

Moree Boars will play a trial game at Warialda tonight.