A victory over minor premiers North Tamworth would mark the first time Old Boys have won the title after finishing the regular season outside the top two.

Standing in their way is a North Tamworth side whose intense hunger for glory has built up over eight seasons of premiership drought.

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Norths' defeat of South Tamworth in the 2012-13 grand final was their last triumph.

The Redbacks' win over Old Boys in the 2014-15 one-day final is their sole title since then.

Despite that protracted period of disappointment, their veteran skipper, Adam Greentree, believes the pressure will be on Old Boys this weekend.

"I actually think the pressure's all on Old Boys," Greentree said, adding: "Although we're the minor premiers, they're the defending premiers.

"So I believe all the pressure's on their shoulders - not ours."

Greentree, 36, was a member of Norths' last premiership-winning side.

In 2017, he vowed to keep playing until Norths won another grand final. He was 17 when he debuted in first grade at the club.

The warhorse quick said this Redbacks side was special.

"We've got a good camaraderie - everyone just turns up and does their job every week," he said, adding that "patience" is the key to beating Old Boys this weekend.

"They're a good side," he said. "You have to play well to beat them ... If you're patient and wait for a bad ball, or you're patient and wait for a loose shot, you will eventually get on top of them."

Ben Middlebrook has captained Old Boys throughout the side's golden reign. He said Old Boys were "a lot younger" than Norths.

"And it's been good to watch them [the younger players] develop," he added.

"Hopefully, when we come out here [No 1 Oval] on Saturday, that youthfulness will be good."

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