O’Donnell has travelled about 15,000 kilometres up and down the Hume Highway this season to play for his beloved Bombers.

A Marrar local, O’Donnell, 23, finished his university studies in Sydney mid-year and has taken up a job as a relationship executive at HSBC.

That has not stopped him from playing 16 games at the Bombers.

“It’s pretty tough going every week,” O’Donnell said of the travel.

“But the footy club, you can’t compare it anything anywhere else and that makes it easier.

"It’s a good opportunity to come home and visit family and friends and I thought I’d do it while I can before I’m too busy with work.”

O’Donnell travelled back to play with Marrar last year but a broken ankle brought his year to a sudden halt in August.

While he was back running in January and playing in round one, O’Donnell said the recovery has not been easy.

“It was pretty tough coming into the start of the season. I put on a bit of weight because I couldn’t move around,” he said.

“Now it’s better. I pull up quite sore on Sundays but it’s fine.”

O’Donnell said Saturday’s grand final will not be easy, but he is confident the Bombers are capable of turning the tables.

“Temora are quality opposition but if we play to our strengths, on our day we have proven we can beat them,” he said.

“It all starts in the mids, hopefully we can get a run on and go from there.

“If we can put four quarters together, which we haven’t done too many times this year, we’ll go close.”