Glen Innes Magpies captain-coach Nick Say applauded his side’s “outstanding” defensive effort in Sunday’s minor-semi final triumph against the Moree Boars.
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The Boars struggled to crack the Magpies’ defensive line as the hosts went on to claim a 32-6 win.
Moree scored the first points through a penalty goal three minutes in but they didn’t cross for a four-pointer until 15 minutes from full-time.
Say credited his team’s ability to hold out their opponents with landing the win.
“They had a few shots at us on our line then we gave away a penalty and they took the two so it sort of lifted the boys because we just knew they couldn't get through us then,” he said.
“We knew that they threw everything at us and had to settle for the two points so that was pleasing.
“Our defence was 100 per cent, I couldn't fault anything really.
“After the game I was talking to everyone, all the spectators and supporters said it was an outstanding effort in defence which, being a coach, is a pleasing thing.
“We have been on it all year so all that stuff was good to hear anyway.”
While their defence was impressive, the Magpies still managed to put 32 points on the board.
The Magpies notched up their points through Jamie Watts, Guy Mepham, Michael Miller, Adam Morris and Joel Jackson, who claimed a brace.
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“Our attack came off the back of our defence really,” Say said.
“We got a bit of a roll on in some stages and got them on the back foot and then everything fell into place.
“If your defence is spot on in this comp then you will win a lot of games and your attack comes off the back of your defence.”
Much of the hype in the lead-up to the game revolved around the competition’s two best number nines – Magpies’ Guy Mepham and Moree’s Stan Swan.
Glen Innes knew Mepham would be a marked man but the hooker rose to the challenge to finish with a try and four goal.
“They tried [to shut him down] but he played out of his skin like he always does,” Say said.
“He just lives for it really. He lives for the big games.”
The Magpies managed to keep the Boars hooker quiet.
“He is a smart player, Stan,” Say said.
“We tried to shut him down as much as he could and we half succeeded with that, there were a couple of times he half poked his head through but we shut him down which was nice.”
It was do-or-die for both teams with the loser eliminated and the winner going on to play whoever gets beaten in next week’s major semi-final between Moree Boomerangs and Inverell Hawks.
The Magpies received no injuries in the game against the Boars and are “looking forward to doing it again next weekend.”