Luke Berkrey is ready for a homecoming with a different flavour.
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The last time Berkrey ran out onto Les Boyd Oval he was leading Cootamundra into battle.
This time he’ll be the enemy, playing for Gundagai.
After leaving following the 2015, the former Bulldogs coach will tackle his former club for the first time on Saturday.
The lock can’t wait for the clash.
“When I signed with Gundagai it was the first game I looked for on the draw,” Berkrey said.
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
He’s excited to take on some of his close friends, even though there has been little go between with him and the Bulldogs players this week.
“I haven’t spoken to any of them and normally I do speak to a few of them,” Berkrey said.
“There has just been nothing this week.”
Gundagai have only lost once this season and Berkrey has been loving life as a Tiger.
He’s hoping that continues as the club continues to build into the finals.
“I couldn’t be happier than I’m pulling on a black and gold jumper rather than a blue and white jumper at the moment,” he said.
“It is a really good club with lots of good blokes here and girls.”
The Tigers are looking to keep their strong momentum going against a Bulldogs outfit planted on the bottom of the ladder.
Meanwhile, Albury will start Levi Freeman at five-eighth against Tumbarumba at Greenfield Park on Saturday.
The back-rower, who weighs around 100kg, will be thrown into the position in a bid to halt Thunder’s four-match losing streak.
Coach Josh Cale said Freeman and halfback Daniel Johnson had worked well together at training this week.
“I watched the Kangaroos game the other day and we attacked a lot more on the line when Levi went to five-eighth after ‘Smithy’ (Andrew Smith) popped some ribs,” Cale said.
“He tried to push a few things.
“We aren’t trying to change his game but I think he will stiffen us up a bit.
“He’s obviously not a five-eighth but we think it’s the best thing for the team.
“He can see that and has put the team before himself.”
It means Freeman will go head-to-head with in-form Greens skipper Robbie Byatt.
Byatt was in outstanding form in their win over Brothers last weekend and will be keen to expose any chinks in Thunder’s armour.
The return of Smith from suspension is a huge boost for Thunder who missed his experience in last weekend’s loss to Junee.