RETURNING to the Inverell RSM Hawks has been a big success for Guy Mepham, with the dependable No. 9 claiming the player-of-the-match award in Inverell’s 42-28 Group 19 rugby league grand final triumph against the MacIntyre Warriors on Sunday.
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Having played as a junior at Inverell a decade ago, Mepham transferred to the Tingha Tigers and won a premiership with them in 2009 before returning to Inverell and playing a part in the Hawks’ back-to-back premierships.
With Tingha having beaten Guyra 46-14 in 2009 before Inverell beat the Moree Boomerangs 26-24 last year, Mepham considered this year’s title was probably the pick of them.
“We thought we were in a bit of a rebuilding stage this year,” Mepham said, referring to the fact that numerous players parted ways with the Hawks following last year’s success.
Mepham therefore felt he had “more of a leadership role this year”, and he relished the responsibility.
“You’ve just got to lead by example,” he said.
Mepham deemed that he had more of a running game than a defensive game, and his two grand final tries were at decisive times.
Mepham made particular mention of front-rower James Ballinger who made the Northern Division team earlier this year along with Mepham and fellow Hawks player Harold Duncan.
“The young fellows are what makes you want to play,” Mepham said.
Mepham also gave credit to the beaten grand finalists, noting that the Warriors were in their maiden year and were undefeated until round 15.
Hawks captain Alex McCosker also spoke favourably of the Warriors, saying “they play a great style of footy”.
With the Warriors trailing just 30-28 with plenty of time left in the decider and leaving a winner impossible to pick until the late stages, McCosker said: “It was a great game. It was tough, it was fast, it was physical.”
McCosker referred to Mepham, Ballinger and halfback Michael Watton as strong contributors, noting that Ballinger played the full 80 minutes and never took a backward step.
Like Mepham, McCosker thought this year might be a rebuilding one for the Hawks, and he was subsequently impressed with the number of young locals who developed through the ranks.
“We’re a very young team, with eight or so guys under 21,” McCosker said.
McCosker relished leading the Hawks to consecutive titles after being player-of-the match in Inverell’s 33-26 grand final triumph against Glen Innes in 2011, and also being in a hefty 56-18 loss to the Moree Boomerangs in the 2014 decider.
After Inverell most recently hosted Group 19 grand final day in 2000, McCosker said winning at home this year “makes it special”.
