With the length of the Group Nine season set at 16 rounds, the two clubs the border outfit won’t play twice in 2018 are Gundagai and Southcity.

The two clubs are played off in the last two grand finals, but Purtell was quick to throw cold water on their situation.

“I don’t think there is an easy game at all,” Purtell said.

“And if you start looking at the draw thinking we have an easy draw you are behind the eight ball to begin with.

“You have to go into every game expecting to be tough and I am under no illusions.”

Purtell has returned to coach his junior club following a successful career in the NRL and more recently the Super League.

He’s got no doubt the Group Nine season will be a hard one.

“I look at the draw and think any team on their day, especially at home, is going to be tough,” he said. 

“If we start looking at the draw as that’s a benefit for us then we will start looking a teams a little more lightly and we can’t afford to do that.”

The Thunder just missed finals last season, but their equation has now become tougher with Group Nine shifting to a top four finals series.

They’re also had a big player turnover.

While the Thunder have added six new faces including Purtell, former Tumbarumba captain-coach Robbie Byatt and fellow Green Kane Hammond they’ve also lost three of their best players.

Country representative players Dave Cowhan and Levi Freeman have both moved on and now former Country hooker Andrew Smith has confirmed his retirement as he looks to embark on a boxing career.

The Group Nine season starts on April 14 when Albury hosts Brothers and Southcity tackles Temora.

The following day Gundagai hosts Cootamundra, Kangaroos play Junee and Young hosts Tumut.