The Werris Creek Magpies could have as many as four sides running around next season.
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And if their presentation night at the Werris Creek Golf Club is any indication, they might just do that.
Werris Creek Rugby League Football Club president Kevin “Darby” Sherlock hosted a vibrant night.
“I’m a proud man,” Sherlock said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had a presentation night like this. It’s back to the old times, back to first grade.”
Indeed, the Magpies returned to the top grade last season with some sparkling efforts before losing the qualifying final to Gunnedah at Gunnedah.
Its ladies league tag side won the tier-two grand final, and that was loudly celebrated throughout the night on Saturday.
League tag coach Jason Smith was the emcee for the night and he prefaced proceedings by describing 2018 as a “big challenge and change” for the club.
“This year was very special for us,” he said. “The men held their own against the North Tamworths, Gunnedahs and Narrabris, and the ladies, well, they were awesome.
“I was so proud of them. We started off with 23 players [in first grade] and finished with 16. They can hold their heads high. It was an awesome effort.”
First-grade co-coaches Ron Dellar and Matt Parsons are hopeful the club will be able to add a second-grade side, at least, to the 2019 roster and maybe even an under-18 side.
“I think we’ll be able to run an under-18 side in 2020,” Dellar said.
If they do have a second-grade side, Dellar’s son-in-law and Magpie great, Stewart Porter, will most likely prolong his career, at age 47, and play another season – mentoring what would be a young second-grade side.
Stewart confirmed he would play on if the Magpies raise a second-grade side.
Parsons, the former Newcastle Knights star, praised the league tag side and thanked all the players, supporters and sponsors for their great support.
He said the Tamworth-based players who travelled to the Creek “did such a great job for us”. “Their commitment and enthusiasm was outstanding,” he said.
“I do think we overachieved at times and underachieved as well. I feel that [preliminary final] game against Gunnedah was pretty close. If we won that we would have played a grand final.
“But if this club is to be sustainable, it’s time for a few younger guys to step up, because Ron and I won’t be here for ever.”
Harlee Millgate capped off a big debut season at the Creek by winning the Brian Mullins Memorial Best and Fairest Award, as well as the Joan and Harry Reynolds Memorial Player of the Year gong.
Halfback Scott Berry won the supporters award and received the Frank Soden Memorial Award as first grade’s highest point-scorer.
Front-rower Thomas Brown won the team player award and centre Kieran Williams received the John Whizzo Memorial Award as most consistent player.
Cody Tickle received the Daniel Wilson Memorial Players’ Player Award, Baradine-bound Zac Buckley received the President’s Award while Jamie Bailey and Isaah Millgate shared the rookie of the year honour.
Casey Hatch, Anna Smith, Zoe Allan, Molly Turner, Montanna Allan and Jane Hill also won awards. Hatch was the league tag players’ player award-winner as well as the leading point-scorer, Allan won the President’s Award with Hannah Tickle, and Paige Leonard claimed the league tag most improved gong.
Hill was the rookie of the year, Allan the most consistent, and Turner and Smith shared the team player award.
Smith also snared the best and fairest gong, and was honoured for her representative status with Group 4. She and Dayna Porter played for Group 4, with Porter selected for the Greater Northern Tigers.
Zack Leonard was also named in the Group 4 and Greater Northern Tiger sides.
