He became the first Blue Boars captain to do that since Peter McDonnell in 1982.

Others have hoisted the silverware since but none at Dangar Park.

The script had an element of Hollywood about it, with the Blue Boars celebrating their 50th anniversary, and having to pull together in the dying minutes to defend their lead.

Pirates were coming hard at them but they held them out to claim the spoils 25-19.

How much it meant – not only to the players but to the club and the town – was written all over Schwager’s face as he lifted up the shield.

“It’s extremely special,” he said.

He has been “lucky enough” to win a few titles over the years.

“But to do it in your home town, where you’ve grown up and in front of  family and friends, it’s up there with the best things I’ve done,” he said.

It was the Blue Boars’ first premiership since 2004 and also saw Schwager join father Tony as a premiership winner with the Blue Boars.

Four of Saturday’s side did in fact – Schwager, Dave Boyle, Matt McDonnell and Henri Knight.

Boyle (Steve) and McDonnell’s (Peter) fathers both won first grade titles, while Knight’s (Alex) dad won a second grade premiership.

Interestingly, before Saturday no fathers and sons had both won premierships.

“We had to work for that and I couldn’t be prouder of the boys,” Schwager said.

None more so in those final minutes – their defence  embodying their determination.

There was a real steel there.

“After you lose one you really want to win the next one,” Schwager said.

“Losing today wasn’t really an option for us.”

That was evident from the whistle. 

They came out with a real intensity.

“We got off to a flying start,” he said.

“We probably let ourselves down in the middle period but the way we hung strong and that defence at the end....”

Clinging to a six-point lead they knew they couldn’t let Pirates score.

Especially close to the post. 

“You’d back Andrew Moodie to kick it,” he said.

And that would have been their dream shattered.

Leading in, he had spoken about needing to start well.

“It’s always nice to play in front,” he said.

He said up 18-3 they possibly did take the foot off the pedal a bit but wasn’t taking anything away from Pirates.

“Pirates are a classy side,” he said.

They always knew it was in them to come back like they did.

Defence was one of their primary focuses heading into the season and they spoke a lot about it heading in – trusting their defence and not giving away silly penalties.

“We did that,” Schwager said.

After Pirates centre Greg White had crossed to make it a six-point game with just over seven to go, they did have the chance to push out beyond a converted try and give themselves a bit of breathing room but Michael Cain couldn’t convert.

Schwager said he wasn’t worried at that stage but thought it was an opportunity they might have lost.

It set up up a grandstand finish and Schwager admitted that those last few minutes were probably the hardest he’s had to endure.

“But I had full faith in the boys,” he said.

Schwager was also adjudged the zone best and fairest, much to his surprise.

He doesn’t really covet those type of accolades and had no idea he was in the mix.

“I never rate individual things that highly,” he said.

“They are nice and I’m happy to get it but it’s not my highest priority.”

It was a tight race, with Schwager finishing a point ahead of Scone breakaway Lourens Le Grange.

Both picked up points in the final round, but Schwager’s two was enough to see him pip Le Grange, who picked up the three.

Blue Boars breakaway Tim O’Brien was third.

CNRU B&F: Matt Schwager (Narrabri) 18, Lourens Le Grange (Scone) 17, Tim O’Brien (Narrabri) 13, Doug Biffin (Pirates) 11, Jake Douglas (Pirates) 11, Soni Halanukonuka (Walcha) 10, Matt Hannay (Gunnedah) 10, Damien Kelly (Moree) 10, Pulu Maea (Inverell) 10, Harry Veitch (Tamworth) 10.