At least 1000 fans are expected to pack into Bourke’s Davidson Oval on Saturday for the Barwon Darling Rugby League grand finals.
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Walgett will take on the hosts in the main game after holding off Collarenebri in a closely fought preliminary final last weekend, while there will also be league tag, under 18s, and under 15s deciders.
In the main game, the Bourke Warriors will be hot favourites having not been defeated all season.
But Walgett’s impressive backline gave a taste of what Bourke can expect in the decider as they combined for five of their team’s tries last weekend, Neville Suey in the centres grabbing a double.
The halves combination of Eddie Pitt and Grant Green were both instrumental in their side’s success, Green scoring a try himself while Douglas Murray, Leon Dennis and reserve Dillon Walford all scored as well.
Bourke president James Simmonds is anticipating a big home crowd to watch his club’s men’s, under 18s and under 15s sides play off for the silverware this Saturday.
“It’s been a couple of years since we hosted a grand final, last time we had a crowd of over 1,000 and I would expect it to be similar this year,” Simmonds explained.
“Walgett always play good football around finals time so it’s no real surprise to see them play the way they did and qualify, but I think if Bourke just go out and back themselves, play footy the way they have been as a complete team without any individual stuff, they’ll get the win.
“The two towns and teams have a bit of a rivalry there, it is a bit love-hate, but they’re a good bunch of boys the Walgett guys and though they’ve been a bit down on numbers their committee has done a good job.”
Walgett had already qualified for the women’s league tag decider and will now meet Brewarrina after the Googettes took care of Lightning Ridge in their preliminary final.
The red-hot form of fullback Janalee Conroy continued as she was named best on ground, with Madison Drew and Lakeisha Orcher also earning best and fairest points.
The Googars will have two sides in action on grand final day thanks to their under 18s who won a pulsating clash against Colly.
In a back-and-forth contest the Googars prevailed 36-26, led to victory by a hat-trick from five-eighth Josiah Sullivan.
In the under 15s preliminary final Lightning Ridge proved too strong for Colly as they ran away to a huge win, 70-16.
The Googars and Lightning Ridge will both meet Bourke in their respective junior grand finals.
