OLD Bar coach Jason Morrissey will remind his players how Forster-Tuncurry ambushed them in the second round Group Three Rugby League game played at Old Bar as the Pirates prepare for tomorrow's preliminary semi-final against the Hawks.
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Forster produced their best performance of the season when accounting for Old Bar 46-18 the last time the teams met. This effectively snuffed any hope the Pirates had of finishing minor premiers.
"They were more intense than us that day and they embarrassed us,'' Morrissey said.
However, he remains confident his players learnt plenty from that match and that they'll be ready for their Great Lakes rivals.
Old Bar will be at full strength, with Jamie Hartland returning to play on the wing allowing Michael Mercy to stay in the centres, where he'll partner Kyle Mundine.
Under 18 player Josh Woods will stay in the squad on the bench, where he'll join Michael Spence, Greg Harris and Ash Currey.
Woods made his first grade debut last week against Wingham and did enough to retain his place.
Spence played his first game of the season against the Tigers and impressed the coach.
The Pirates had a couple of second round hiccups, losing to the Hawks and Wauchope at home however, Morrissey has been happy enough with their form.
"We've been playing well for 40 minutes - but we need to get 80,'' he said.
Morrissey believes that veteran halfback Daniel Harris is set to play a strong hand tomorrow. He said that Harris might have dropped a yard of pace, but he still has the ability to find a gap in the defensive line. Harris will mark another in-form veteran, Josh McCartney.
Morrissey is also confident his big guns, including prop Kyle Cochrane and centre Mundine will relish the big game occasion, especially at Old Bar.
The Hawks will be minus Sam McCartney at five-eighth, but Morrissey remains wary of utility back Clint Walker, who has been in try scoring mode since breaking retirement earlier this month.
"He's good with the football and we can't give him too much space - but that's what football is all about,'' he said.
Morrissey assured his side remains focused on tomorrow and said they won't be thinking about playing Wauchope in the major semi-final.
"We have to get past this weekend first so we're not worried about Wauchope,'' he said.
