THEY did them a favour last weekend but Pirates aren't expecting any more from Walcha on Saturday as they lock horns in a final round blockbuster that will determine not only their own finals fortunes, but also Narrabri and Moree's.
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Should Pirates win they will claim the minor premiership and host the qualifying final in a fortnight. But should the Rams get up it will open the door for Narrabri to finish on top, and will see the Rams finish third.
They sit third at the moment but are only two points ahead of Moree, who have the bye and are guaranteed five points.
“It's going to be massive,” Pirates coach Mat Kelly said.
“We know it's in our hands - the minor premiership.”
He wasn't that surprised by the Rams upsetting Narrabri last week after the battle they had with them in the first round.
“The boys still talk about it as the toughest game they've played, physically,” he said.
“They'll (Walcha) be ready and raring to go.”
Especially being at home and with so much at stake themselves.
Pirates are fresh from the bye, and Kelly said there will be no excuses with a close to full strength side on deck.
The forwards have been a real asset for them this season, and they will really look to stamp their authority there.
“That last game (against Moree) the backs played the best they have,” Kelly said.
“Hopefully they can finish off what they started.”
That looms as an intriguing contest, with the Rams possessing one of the most feted backlines in the competition. Pirates know though they can't afford to get too caught up in worrying about them, as Kelly noted they have “weapons everywhere”.
One of the lessons they have taken on board from the first round is that they need to make sure of their first-up tackles. Discipline will also be big focus.
The Blue Boars face a similarly tough task. They take on an Inverell side buoyant after knocking off the Bulls last week, and primed for a big performance for their last home game of the season.
“We want to finish well and show our home crowd what we can do,” co-coach Simon Clarke said.
“We'll go in with the same attitude (as Moree). We've got nothing to lose but lots to gain.”
He is really happy with the way they have gelled together.
“With the momentum we're building from last week I think the boys can see what they are able to achieve, and the boys are hungry for more,” he said.
And they know they can match the Blue Boars. There was only three points in it when the two met out at Narrabri earlier in the season.
One of the Highlanders downfalls then, Clarke recalled, was letting the Blue Boars get out to a good lead.
“You let good sides like that build momentum they'll hurt you,” he said.
“We've got to strop them in their tracks.”
