GOONDIWINDI will have to wait a week to open its premier season in Group 19, while Glen Innes will be hoping to tick the numbers up in the home section of a new scoreboard.
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The Goondiwindi Boars were set to get a baptism of fire with a first-round meeting with the Boomerangs, but the game has been postponed.
Boomerangs coach Chris Binge said Vivian, the wife of Boomerangs life member Uncle “Dupper” McGrady, had passed away.
“One of her last wishes was to have the Boomerangs give her a guard of honour at the church and cemetery,” Binge said.
“The club made a commitment to Vivian and her family and we have to keep it.”
The game will now be played on Sunday May 18.
Goondiwindi had been playing in the Toowoomba and Border Leagues over the last few years and were only just given clearance by Queensland Rugby League to join Group 19.
President Peter Rice said the club was in a re-building phase at the moment and had a big job ahead of it in G19.
“Our 18s and ladies are strong but we might lack a bit of quality in our opens at the moment,” Rice said.
“We will see how this season goes but I believe we have to stay with the two Moree sides regardless of what happens.”
The Boars will be led around the field by captain-coach Callum Skinner.
Skinner went right through juniors before moving away from the town.
The front-rower returned specifically to take the reins and rebuild the side in G19.
Goondiwindi Boars aren’t the only Boars that have been released.
The Moree Boars have jumped ship from Group 4 to join their Moree counterparts the Boomerangs.
They will meet the Magpies in Glen Innes who also have a special day.
The Gordon Creighton Memorial Scoreboard will be unveiled at Meade Park.
Creighton, and his son Michael were tragically killed in a plane crash in Laos last year.
Club president Pat Lonergan said that Creighton pulled the club through tough times in the late 90s and early 2000s.
“He was a long-time supporter who served as president and vice president and kept the club alive,” Lonergan said.
Gordon’s wife Therese will open the scoreboard in a ceremony before first grade kick-off.
In other games, Ashford will host Tingha, while Armidale will be looking to prove a point in Uralla.
The Tigers are back in the top grade for the first time in four years but took some Rams players in the off season to get there.
Inverell has the bye.