It just happened to be at the expense of his former club.

The new Brothers recruit sunk the hopes of a Thunder win to start the Group Nine season after slotting a field goal with four minutes remaining.

The Wagga club scored 13 unanswered points in the second half to take a dramatic win under lights on Saturday night.

Coach Terry Westblade was thrilled to come away with the 17-16 victory in round one.

“It was amazing really,” Westblade said.

“We just kept pressing and hanging in.

“It was a great way to start.”

The Thunder stormed out of the blocks to take a 16-4 lead into half-time.

Former Tumbarumba captain-coach Robbie Byatt opened the scoring only for Will Merritt to hit back for Brothers.

In an impressive display, young gun Liam Wiscombe scored twice in the first stanza to hand Adrian Purtell’s side a strong advantage.

However the Brethren kept wearing the Thunder down.

Second half tries to Liam Carey and Aaron Wynne saw scores locked with 10 minutes to play.

Breust then calmly slotted what was to be the winner.

He was part of the third of the Thunder’s three consecutive premierships and has played in Cowra for the past two seasons.

Despite Albury having a back line full of stars, including Purtell and former Australian player Joel Monaghan, it was a clash dominated by forwards.

Westblade was thrilled by how his pack stood up.

“We felt as though we dominated the second half,” he said.

“Our forwards were fabulous.

“They really held the middle solid as it was pretty much played in that part of the park.

“They were fabulous. The whole six of them.”

Despite trailing at the break, Westblade thought his team were well in the contest.

Stepping up in the second half, the started to find some rewards.

“We talked at half-time and while we played well in the first half we were behind on the scoreboard,” he said.

“It felt like we were really in the game and they just kept hanging in and hanging in.

“It was fantastic.”

Westblade believes it is very encouraging for the future and expects Albury will trouble plenty of teams this season.

“They have a good side, my golly,” he said.

“They are going to be a tough team all year, there is no question about that.

“This is a great way for us to start.”

Brothers tackle Junee next week while Albury travel to Cootamundra.