Central North Rugby: Doug Biffin plays his 150th game for Pirates

The stalwart admitted it "took a bit of convincing" to get him on the field this year.

"I was pretty keen to hang up the boots," he said.

"But a few of the older guys - Starry (Conrad Starr), Leachy (Bart Leach) and the like, said they're going to have one more run and twisted the arm."

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He's glad they did.

"It's been good fun," he said.

"It's a good way to get out and earn a beer and catch up with your mates as well."

One of the central figures in Pirates' most recent four-peat, that mateship is one of the reasons he is still lacing up the boots.

"It's been pretty tough this year just juggling the three kids and trying to squeeze in work commitments and training and so on," Biffin said.

"But it's a great club to be a part of so that's why I'm still playing at the ripe old age of 36."

And arguably playing as well as ever.

The 2019 grand final was regarded as one of his best performances in a Pirates jersey. He was duly named the player of the grand final.

"I've sort of changed my game a little bit," he said.

"I think you play a bit smarter as you get older and you become a bit more selective and let the young fit fellas make a lot of the tackles and runs for you.

"You just try and find yourself in the right spot a bit more often."

From what he can remember his first senior game was back in the early 2000's down at Quirindi.

He was still at school and played in the backrow alongside the likes of Evan Kellow and Chris Sartori.

After a stint with St Alberts while he was studying law at the University of New England, Biffin linked back up with Pirates post-uni, and has been part of now six premierships with the club.

He has been something of a Mr Fix-it too for them over the years. Half-back and wing are about the only positions he hasn't played.

"I've had a bit of a go at fullback and centre," he said.

He's also packed down in the front row and second row.

"(But) That's what country rugby's all about; when you lack a bit of depth you've just to make yourself available sometimes," he said.

His 150^th isn't a game he will forget in a hurry.

It was "a bit of dejavu" to the 2017 grand final against Walcha with Inverell having a chance in the final seconds to snatch victory.

"I was pretty nervous there that last kick," Biffin admitted.

But it was unsuccessful and Pirates held on for a one-point win.

It was a day of milestones with James Trappel running on for the 200^th time and Ash Turner also playing his 150^th game for the club.

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