Thirty one years after his father coached the side to a grand final, Mitch Bath will be looking to win a Central North premiership when he runs out for Pirates on Saturday.
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The outside centre’s father Daryl coached the Pirates from last to the big dance over three years in the early 80’s, before the club took out their maiden premiership in 1985.
The injection of the likes of Bath, Andrew Collins and Damian Reti has added another dimension to Pirates game and been one of the keys to their revitalisation this season.
All three have been plying their trade in Sydney in recent seasons, but are no strangers to the black and gold jersey.
Bath used to fill in for the junior sides when he was at school.
The club is ingrained in his blood.
Daryl is a life member and also presented the jerseys to the boys before the major semi-final, where Pirates turned it on to thrash grand final combatants Narrabri 40-12.
“So happy with the home grand final,” Bath said.
“It means a lot to the boys.
“It's only my first year at the club but it feels like we've built as a team and as a club.”
It earned them their first home grand final since 2011.
“Considering we hadn't beaten them the rest of the year, we felt we needed to put on a good performance,” Bath said.
Which they did.
In many a view it was their best 80 minutes of the season.
Plagued by discipline issues at times, that was probably the biggest difference to the other times they’d played the Blue Boars, he said.
While they still encountered a few problems towards the end of the game, their discipline throughout was a lot better.
Another factor was the platform the forwards provided, and they’ll be looking for the same again on Saturday.
“Over the last four or five weeks, the forwards every game we've played have been so dominant,” Bath said.
“That's allowed the backs to get quicker ball and put it on a platter for us.”
The former Randwick back has shifted around a couple of positions this season but has predominantly played at outside centre.
“This is my first year at 13,” he said.
“I'm usually a 10 or 12.
“(But) I enjoy playing somewhere new. When I came here I asked if I could play 13.”
More of a running role than 10 or 12, he’s getting a handle on the intricacies the more time he spends there.
That showed in the major semi, with Pirates coach Mat Kelly rating it his best game of the season.
“I'm still learning but I really enjoy that space in attack,” Bath said.
