Pirates will have their own good luck charm in Nick McCrohan as they search for a perfect season when they take on Walcha in the CNRU grand final.
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The 20-year-old has been at the Pirates since he was 15 and has won a premiership each year. First in the 17s competition then the 19s and finally with the first grade side last year as an interchange player.
While McCrohan said his grand final form came down to luck and a good playing group around him, the forward has shown his value and cemented his spot in the first grade side filling whichever role he needs to.
“I’m playing in the second row but I mainly like playing six, seven or eight,” McCrohan said.
“Mat’s [Pirates coach Mat Kelly] trying to con me into going into the front row. I’m just happy to play footy.”
After progressing from the junior ranks last year, McCrohan spend most of 2016 playing reserve grade and backing up on the bench for first grade.
It was an easy transition to senior football thanks to the older heads at the club.
“There’s always heaps to learn in rugby and the boys make it easier [to come into the senior ranks],” he said.
“I’ve found the boys tend to look after the younger fellas and help them build.”
McCrohan said Pirates were “hungry” to finish the job this weekend but also said the group were enjoying the lead up.
“It’s been awesome,” McCrohan said of this week.
“Everyone’s pretty calm and collected, no one’s really stressing out or anything, the week’s going pretty smoothly.”
