FINANCIAL adviser and Pirates halfback Chris Young will do his best to ensure the team comes out at the right end of the ledger in tomorrow's dream grand final match-up with Hastings Valley Vikings.
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The 36-year-old Young plans to retire after the decider at Oxley Oval, so he won't get another shot at grand final glory.
No one has come close to beating the Vikings this season, but Young is adamant his side can knock them off on the biggest stage and at their home ground.
The key lies in the defence.
"We'll put together a good defence and see what happens," Young said.
Young is the team's kicker. He's had a good season with the boot so far.
He can't put that down to practice though.
"Twenty years of kicking is enough," he said.
"I don't practice at training."
He just hopes tomorrow isn't too windy, and the dreaded yips don't kick in.
Young will resume a great partnership in the halves with Korie Paio tomorrow.
Paio has been a standout on the field for Pirates this season, but he's missed a few games through injury.
George Jones has stepped into the role and done a fine job. Jones will play reserves tomorrow.
Pirates coach Nigel Hurlston said agreed that tackling was the key to doing well.
"It's massive with any game," he said. "I always think victory is built on defence."
Retirement is almost locked in for Young.
"One hundred per cent," he said.
"I won't have a house to live in if I don't.
"I'm getting too old. The bones are starting to creak."
Hurlston said Young would be a huge loss, but he had a replacement lined up in Reece Martin.
"He's done his apprenticeship," Hurlston said.
