RUGBY LEAGUE

DUNGOWAN coach Mick Schmiedel reckons he can finally hang up his boots after the Cowboys won the Group 4 Second Division grand final against Werris Creek on

Saturday.

He’s not so sure about any of the other veterans who have said goodbye after the decider, won 30-28 by Schmiedel’s men, but it was definitely his last game.

“Definitely,” he said.

“If I’d won it last year I would have retired and I know I said I’d retired but I said to the boys if we’re struggling for numbers this year I’ll play.

“At stages we were only just able to fill our bench and I think once we weren’t even able to, and it came to a different game where we lacked some experience on the field.

“The guys will learn from this year.”

He arrived at the club for the 2007 season having played for Tamworth City, West Lions, Manilla and North Tamworth in first division and his aim was to bring the elusive second division title to the valley.

“Personally, it’s been two years of very hard work, sitting up till 9 or 10 o’clock at night working plays out and working out how to utilise blokes,” Schmiedel said.

“About five years ago Dungowan tried to get me to come out here but I wasn’t ready to come.

“I came out to do a job and now I’ve done what I came out to get.”

It’s been an even longer wait for some of the club’s stalwarts.

One of those is Paul Tongue who was there in the first grand final against Kootingal back in 2001.

He skippered the side on Saturday and got the silverware he was after.

“I think it will mean a lot to Pauly,” Schmiedel said.

“Originally he was one of the big pushers behind getting Dungowan going so I think it will be a very special moment for him.

“He’s talked about retirement but he’ll play again.

“He’s inspirational to the side. He’s a good man and he’s earned the right to stand up there and accept that trophy.”

Schmiedel also reckons Stewart Porter and Ray Saunders haven’t played their last games for the Creek and he would love to be proven right.

“I know they talked about it but Stewie and Ray won’t retire,” Schmiedel said.

“Stewie deserves to go out with a

premiership.

“He’s been a great statesman for the game, he’s a great bloke and I consider him a dear friend.

“We’ve won premierships together, I’ve lost premierships to him and he’s just a true gentleman and deserves to go out with a

trophy.

“Today wasn’t his day but I’d like to see him go out on a winning note.

“He was their most dangerous player obviously but footy can be cruel.”

Schmiedel will be back as coach next year, this time to defend the title.