WHILE the Macintyre Warriors have already made history this year their quest to become bush footy folklore is about to begin a they host premiers Inverell in the major semifinal at Boggabilla Oval on Sunday.
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The club only formed at the start of this season when the Goondiwindi committee split before taking Group 19 by storm to be crowned minor premiers just six months later.
Club president Peter Rice said that no one expected them to be in the position they are this week, busily preparing a home ground that only became playable two months ago for a home final.
“When we started we didn’t own a football and we got laughed at for sponsorship,” Rice said.
“Half a dozen sponsors had a go and we got a decent playing group together. And now hopefully we win a grand final. No one expected this.”
The Warriors are predominantly an indigenous side that play their own brand of exciting and tough football, but more than that they have become an important institution in the communities around Boggabilla and Toomelah, where their player base is.
The reserve grade side isn’t far behind the top graders, lining up against the Moree Boomerangs in the minor semifinal at Ashford, before the Boomerangs take on the Roosters in firsts.
Dave McGrady leads the Warriors from five-eighth, and has been the stand-out performer in many tough games this season.
The Warriors were undefeated right up until the third last round, although did record three draws before that in one of the tightest Group 19 competitions in recent years.
They also have Dale Ellis at halfback, hooker Clyde Hickman and experienced centre Rick McGrady, although Rice believes it is how they have pulled together as a team, club and community that has got the Warriors this far.
“Rick (McGrady) can pluck something out of nowhere and Dave McGrady is just a special player,” Rice said. “We are reasonably solid across the park and will take it as it comes.”
After a few weeks of squabbling within the Group about where the final will be played, the Warriors only found out last week that they could host the game they earnt.
Part of the charm of the story comes back to their home ground and facilities, where the home change room is a few traps pulled around the cricket nets, while the visitors get a storage container the club bought with a grant.
The refereed get changed and showered in a house across the road and if the players want a shower they head to the service station nearby.
“We have got no facilities but we have been playing here for the second half of the year,” Rice said. “We will do the best we can.”
The club is expecting a huge crowd for the day, with Inverell bringing their reserve grade side as well to take on the Moree Boars.
“We got 1000 to our first game this season and about 700 to the last round,” Rice said.
“Inverell will bring plenty with two teams so we just don’t know what to expect.”
“There could be a fairly firey atmosphere.
“Who would have thought it possible.”
The league tag girls will play the first of the three games, Ashford taking on the Moree Boars at 11am before reserves with the main event to kick off at 3pm.
