The heartbreak of Tamworth's one-point preliminary final loss to St Albert's College in first grade has been replaced by a sense of pride in the club's achievements this year.
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Only the Magpies' third-grade side made the finals last year, the club's New England rugby debut season. But this year all four grades achieved that feat.
And two of those sides, third and fourth grades, will vie for grand final glory at Bellevue Oval in Armidale on Saturday.
Tamworth president Mitch Hanlon said it was one of the most successful seasons in the venerable club's storied history.
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"It's the first year we've had a fourth-grade side and only the second year for the third-grade side ... to have both of them into the grand final is very welcoming," he said.
Hanlon said Tamworth's success was a team effort involving myriad people on and off the field.
"We've got a very committed committee," he said. "And then there's a great bunch of people - they're supporting us as well.
"I've tried to make sure that it's been a fun environment to be in, an enjoyable one. So there's been a bit of a change in the culture of the place."
Hanlon said Tamworth's resurgence was not the result of the club mainlining new personnel. While there were some new players, "generally it's the same old faces", he said.
Tamworth play St Albert's in fourth grade and Glen Innes in third grade on Saturday.
