Narrabri Blue Boars defeat Gunnedah Red Devils 25-8 in first grade grand final

The 27-year old is now a premiership winner as a player, and a coach, after they rained on Gunnedah's parade on Saturday to lift the Heath Shield for the first time since they went back-to-back in 2014 and 15.

The Red Devils were the fairytale story, hosting the grand final for the first time since 1970 and chasing their first premiership in as long.

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In front of a big, and predominantly red-clad, crowd they landed the first points through skipper James Perrett. But there wasn't a lot else to cheer about as they were outplayed by a more clinical Blue Boars 25-8.

"I can't explain it, unbelievable," was Packer's reaction after the game.

One of four of the side that played on Saturday who were part of the Blue Boars last triumph - the other three were Daniel Kahl, Jack Maunder and Jydon Hill - that he was the architect of it made this one arguably just that bit more special.

Coming off the bench, he was out there to enjoy the final minutes of what was a consummate finals performance.

In contrast to the major semi-final, the Blue Boars were the ones that did the little things that count for so much in finals, better.

"We knew that all the pressure was on Gunnedah so we just had to get the little things right, build the pressure and when the time came take advantage of it," Packer said.

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Also flipping the script from two weeks ago, it was the Red Devils who asserted the early pressure, but, aside from Perrett's penalty they were unable to capitalise on it.

Their cause wasn't helped by losing lineout general Tim McDermott, the second rower stretchered off in the ninth minute with a lower leg injury after coming down in a lineout.

The Blue Boars seemed to grow in confidence from holding the Red Devils out and levelled through a penalty goal to Toby Knight. Winger Felix Johnson then put the Blue Boars ahead when he crossed with no space on the sideline, the conversion making it 10-3 with 12 to play in the first half.

But the Red Devils showed why they sat on top of the ladder for most of the season hitting back through Darrell Morrison.

Knight then extended the Blue Boars lead out to 15-8 with a penalty right on half-time.

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But there the score held for over 20 minutes in the second half. Gunnedah peppered Narrabri's line, but the Blue Boars held the home side off.

Knight broke the stall when a chip kick from Jydon Hill found Red Devils No.8 Will Burke's forearm and bounced fortuitously up for the winger. It pushed the Blue Boars two converted tries ahead with 17 minutes remaining.

Second rower Sam Knight then sealed it for them when he burrowed his way through the ruck to make it 25-8.

Beaten in the preliminary final three years ago, Packer credited the team's recent win over Pirates as being key to their preparation.

"Last week really put us in good stead," he said.

"To beat Pirates and then come here, I thought we were really battle-hardened and ready to win that game."

They had a couple of hiccups along the way, but Packer said he never doubted that they could be in this position.

"I knew from day dot that if we built on what they did last year we could be definite contenders and definitely have the chance to win it," he said.

Even still given the youth of the team, he said to do what they have done is "just remarkable".

"We've probably got an average age of about 24," he said.

"So for a young team to come out and do this, it's amazing."

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