Coming into his sixth Southern Inland grand final, there’s no situation Waratahs captain Tim Corcoran hasn’t faced.
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He’s won premierships with both clubs and lost grand finals with both clubs as well.
Been on the expected side of the result, the very much unexpected result plus handled the pressure of going into a decider undefeated.
Taking on former club Ag College at Conolly Rugby Complex on Saturday, Corcoran wants to use all those grand final experiences to come out on top.
“They are all different, but the preparation is going to be the same – you need to keep your week as normal as possible,” Corcoran said.
“You have to make sure the whole club enjoys the week.
“There is no point playing the game twice so this week is about enjoying it, getting our timings right and making sure we step up on Saturday.”
Corcoran led Waratahs to their undefeated premiership success in 2016 and was also part of Ag College’s last title back in 2012.
Aggies redeemed themselves on that occasion, after a shock loss to Waratahs in 2011, so the 32-year-old knows better than most what they will bring on grand final day.
“You know who much it means to Ag College to get over a rival like Waratahs,” he said.
“We’re lucky enough at our club to have a few old Aggies guys, it’s not only me, but it’s a traditional rivalry and Ag College always step up for Waratahs.”
Just like two years ago Waratahs are yet to lose a game, however Corcoran’s past grand final experience shows anything can happen on the big day.
Ag College were red hot favourites to win in 2011, but went down in the final.
They then extracted revenge on Albury the following season.
In his first grand final for Waratahs in 2015 they were big underdogs up against a Steamers outfit, who had lost just the once, but almost stole it.
A similar happened the following year when Tahs needed a late penalty goal to down Wagga City and complete a perfect year.
Even last year Waratahs had a conversion attempt to inflict Leeton’s first loss of the season in the grand final, but it faded away.
He doesn’t believe coming in undefeated changes things this time around.
“Every game we put a fair bit of pressure on ourselves anyway and treat every game the same,” Corcoran said.
“Obviously a lot more is at stake, but I don’t think we treat it any differently.
“I think a bit of that experience will help the side keep a level head.”
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