They safely avoided that and, even better, picked up a 44-20 win to finish the regular season with momentum. A string of losses and high attrition rate had threatened to make the Hawks bit-players in the finals, but they ambushed the Pirates with a five-try second half.

With an 18-16 halftime lead, Forster capitalised on a glut of possession after the break to send hooker Brad Bennett down the sideline and over in the corner. Daniel Benson missed the kick, but five minutes later Hawks lock Matt Finlayson broke the line and scored.

The Pirates were already out of playoff contention, but desperate to end their season well. Winger Jake Saunders kept them in touch with a 55th minute try, but it was answered swiftly and brutally.

The Hawks’ last 20 minutes were clinical. Jai Simon, Benson and Des Donnelly – in the middle of a sublime performance – scored in the last quarter. It was the kind of 80-minute display that warms coaches’ hearts.

Earlier, Donnelly had hinted what was in store when he crossed in the fifth minute to give Forster a 6-nil lead. Hawk Daniel Cross discussed the finer points of officialdom with referee Wayne Archer, and was rewarded with 10 minutes on the sideline.

Old Bar took advantage of their extra player when fullback Steve Simon narrowed the gap to 6-4.

The Hawks’ Darren Pettit hadn’t scored since pre- 9-11, but demanded the ball 20 metres from the Pirates’ line. The veteran brushed off the defence to buffet his way over and make it 12-4.

Revitalised by his time off the field, Cross scored from dummy-half and Benson kicked the Hawks to an 18-4 lead. The visitors took their foot off the gas just before the break to let the Pirates’ Chris Simon and Nathan Barry through, but the Hawks were in a different league in the second half.

The win was just what Forster Tuncurry needed after losing their last three games by huge margins. The Group 3 playoff structure means the Hawks play raging title favourites Port City Breakers at Port Macquarie on Sunday.

The winner of that game will go straight to the Grand Final in two weeks. The loser will host the winner of Saturday’s sudden-death game between Wauchope Blues and Wingham Tigers.

Whoever makes the big game, there will probably be a Mack truck waiting for them. A Mack truck with Port Macquarie plates.

Forster Tuncurry 44 (D Donnelly 2, D Pettit, D Cross, B Bennett, M Finlayson, J Simon, D Benson tries; D Benson 6 goals) beat Old Bar Pirates 20 (S Simon, C Simon, N Barry, J Saunders tries; B Witchard 2 goals) at Old Bar Reserve.