The return of Elliot Bowen has helped the Tamworth Kangaroos claim the Billy Holder Cup.
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The Tamworth Swans have won the cup the past three seasons but the Roos' thrilling one-point win on Saturday ensured it would return to Kangarooland in 2021.
The local derby was shifted to Gunnedah after Tamworth Regional Council closed both No. 1 Oval and Riverside 5 after rain during the week but that didn't take any intensity out of the match.
"It was a good game of footy," Kangaroos' Greg Vallender said.
"The footy moved up and down the ground quite well with some good skills and that hard, contested footy. You wouldn't expect anything else out of a Roos and Swans game."
In a best on ground display for the Roos, full forward Bowen kicked nine goals in his first game of the season.
"I think having Elliot back - he was probably the difference up forward. He's a massive in for us," Vallender said.
For Roos co-coach Ben Mitchell, winning the Billy Holder Cup was special but how the Roos did it was the cherry on top.
The Swans started with a bang to kick the first handful of goals before the Roos reduced the margin to 10 at quarter-time.
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The Swans surged again in the second quarter but the Kangaroos again clawed their way back.
After trailing for the majority of the game, they hit the lead in the final quarter. It changed hands a couple times before the Roos clung on to won 15.8 (98) to 14.13 (97) in a frantic finish.
"I'm just proud of the way the boys reacted," Mitchell said.
"The Swans got a bit of a head start and it shows a bit of resilience in the side - we can be behind and still have that belief that we can get back in front and win a game of footy.
"I think we've done that a couple times this year and I'm immensely proud of the boys."
Corey Mattner was also instrumental for the Roos in the win while Rhett Graham played across the forward line for the Swans and was named their best.
Meanwhile, Kim Farrell attracted plenty of football and kicked five goals for the Swans.
The local derby was the only men's match played on the weekend.
Gunnedah, against New England, and Inverell, against Moree-Narrabri, both claimed wins via forfeits.
There was also only one women's game played after New England forfeited their clash against the Poochettes while the Swans-Kangaroos clash was shifted to Tuesday night.
Inverell claimed a hard-fought 4.7 (31) to 3.10 (28) win over Moree.