Watching his son Zac and his Mudgee Dragons teammates win the Group 10 Rugby League grand final recently brought back memories for James Adams.
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James was part of the undefeated Gulgong team which beat Wallerawang 52-0 to win the 1997 premiership.
The Gulgong team was coached by Tony Pascoe, who almost 19 years later to the day coached the Mudgee Dragons to their 14-10 grand final win over Orange CYMS.
James is not sure if there is another instance when a father and son in separate teams have been coached to separate grand final wins by the same coach, although he is pretty sure that it is a first for Tony.
James said he was not surprised when he learned that Tony Pascoe would be coaching Zac, almost 20 years after he coached the Gulgong side.
“Tony was very good at what he did, he’s a very good coach,” he said.
“You can have a bit of joke with him but see his side of things as well.”
James said while he had given Zac a bit of advice during the season, he was sure that his coach was also telling him similar things.
Zac, who is in his second year with the Dragons premier league, said his last grand final win before this year was in the Under 10s.
“When I got a call from Tony [to play for the Dragons], I asked Dad who he was and Dad said he was a good coach,” he said.
James, Tony and Zac shared a celebratory drink after the Dragons premiership win.
James said he was proud to see his son follow in his premiership footsteps.
Zac will play in the Koori Rugby League Knockout in Sydney on the weekend and has also been chosen as a member of the Western Rams under 21s squad to play Italy in Bathurst next month.
Also of note is Zac’s Dragons teammate Sebastian Flack whose father Errol played in the 1986 winning side.
The Mudgee Dragons presentation night will be held on Saturday, October 8, at 6pm at their major sponsor Club Mudgee.
Cost is $35 per person and must be purchased by today (Friday, September 30) through the website www.clubmudgee.com.au/events