BATHURST Panthers will reflect on their own history, and acknowledge the clubs that helped shape them into who they are today, during an Old Boys Days like no other.
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The upcoming final round Peter McDonald Premiership game between Bathurst Panthers and Orange CYMS will be a chance for many of the city's former premiership-winning team members to congregate and share memories at Carrington Park.
Players from the Bathurst Charlestons' sole premier league title-winning team in 1979 and their 1984 reserve grade premiership-winning team will be part of the celebrations.
Members of Bathurst Penguins' 1994 first grade and reserve grade premiership double will be in attendance along with players from the 2014 Panthers league tag champion team.
Panthers are marking the big occasion with special jerseys that will combine Charlestons and Penguins colours, featuring a newly created 'Bathurst Rugby League' logo to acknowledge the shared history of all three clubs.
Making the day of footy all the greater is that a place in the PMP qualifying finals goes on the line during the Panthers-CYMS clash, with the hosts requiring a big win to push themselves inside the top four.
Three clubs united at Carrington
Panthers president Blake Lawson said that the theme of the day is unification.
"We've been working behind the scenes throughout the year to get this all together. We've got three different clubs who have all merged to become the Bathurst Panthers today," he said.
"I'm not playing anymore and I've stepped into the presidency role and need an excuse to turn up one day a year to have a few beers and a bit of fun.
"We wanted to get as many people back around the club as we could and enjoy each other's company. We have so many people around town who were connected to these past club who feel like there's no connection any more.
"We want to make sure that at Panthers everyone is welcome, including those from Charlos or Penguins."
The day will get underway with a breakfast before old boys from Charlestons and Penguins present the one-off jerseys to the first grade side.
Following the match the jerseys will be auctioned to raise money for the club.
One of the club legends who will be missed on the day is '94 premiership-winner Dave Scott, who died from a heart attack in 2007.
The popular league identity's legacy will be felt on the day thanks to his son.
"I reached out to his son, Jimmy, who helped us with the design," Lawson said.
"I threw a few ideas his way and he did all the work. We made our own logo for our own old boys, which unites our legacy members from Charlos and Penguins."
Teams fighting for finals spots
On the field there's plenty to play for.
The Panthers' league tag and 18s team will be playing for pride in their last games of the year while the reserve grade team must win to ensure they'll stay inside the top eight.
In first grade Panthers will need to beat CYMS by 34 points to jump inside the top four, while a loss could see them miss out on a home elimination final.
Lawson said while all four teams have gone through their share of challenges throughout 2024 they can all be proud of the way the
"It's been a bit of an up and down year to be honest," he said.
"We didn't look like we'd have an under 18s team to start the year and they've turned up every week now. Our reserve grade team couldn't buy a win about six weeks ago and now they've snuck into the top eight.
"First grade is still looking really solid and we're confident we can go all the way. Hopefully if we win here we can sneak into the top four. If not then we're still confident for the rest of the year."
