Southern Inland Rugby Union
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HE'S a big man with a big kicking game, and Griffith hooker Nicholas Gleeson is looking to buck his grand final hoodoo.
Gleeson will line-up in his third decider, but believes the Blacks come in with the best chance to claim premiership glory.
Playing rugby in Newcastle for the university colts team, Gleeson has experienced the heartbreak of two grand final losses.
"I'm hoping this is the time to turn it around," he said.
"Out of all the grand finals I've been in this is the best chance I've had."
Growing up in Lockhart, Gleeson played Australian rules before moving to Sydney for school and getting a taste of rugby.
At St Joseph's Gleeson played rules on Friday night and rugby on Saturday, before deciding to focus on the 15-man game at university.
Moving to Griffith this year for work, he used some old school links to align with the Blacks.
Gleeson still uses his Australian rules background for Griffith, as the designated tactical kicker.
It's a sight not many have seen from a hooker, and plenty of words are spoken about in on the ground.
"I cop a bit of slack every weekend from the opposition as to why the backs are giving the ball to the hooker to kick for touch," Gleeson said.
"But the AFL background definitely comes in handy there and it's just one of the things I can bring to the team."
The 24-year-old said there was a good vibe within the club, as they look to challenge Albury for the premier division grand final.
Coming into the decider with a eight-game winning streak, the Blacks are riding a wave of confidence at the right time of the season.
"We were struggling to find our feet with a few younger and new blokes in the team at the start of the year and as everyone has learnt the game a bit more and learnt how to play together, everything has clicked," Gleeson said.
"We've settled on a few positions and now everyone can get down to work, do their own thing, use their own skills and it's come together well.
"Coach (Seru) Rogo has been good a letting people find their feet in first grade and show what they can do."
Gleeson also put down the Blacks changing fortunes down to improved defence and discipline.