After playing league since he was seven and fresh from senior stints with Brothers, Kangaroos and Temora, Murray decided it was time to try something different.

He had played Australian rules at Turvey Park as a junior so good mate Lachie Moore brought him to Crossroads Oval to try switching codes.

“I knew a few boys out there so they convinced me to come out for a run,” Murray said.

“I was looking for something different. I needed to try something different, a bit of a change up.”

In his first season at Collingullie-Glenfield Park, Murray won the reserve grade best and fairest in a year they took out the premiership.

Just 12 months later and he is preparing himself for his first senior grand final.

“I was a bit surprised to start with when they put me in (first grade) after only being there for a year,” he said.

“But I’m happy they had faith in me to have a go.”

Murray’s debut season in reserve grade prompted senior coach Luke Gestier to give him a start in first grade this season. He was picked from round one and has not missed a game since.

“It’s a lot quicker,” Murray said of first grade.

“The game is a lot faster.

“I always find it a good challenge and you only get better when you test yourself against the best.

“I think it’s been good for developing my game, a lot more than playing reserves for another year.”

Murray said fine-tuning his kicking was the hardest part of the switch from rugby league.

“Just the skills,” he said.

“Kicking is the big one. In league you don’t necessarily try to kick it to people. The kicking style is a bit different so trying to translate that, I’ve found it quite a bit different.

“There’s a lot more running than league, too. It’s good.”

Murray started in the Demons’ forward line, then found himself in defence, where he quickly made himself a home.

“I find it more comfortable there,” he said.

It will be as part of the Demons’ defensive group that Murray starts Saturday’s grand final against Griffith at Narrandera Sportsground.

Murray is looking forward to the occasion and believes the Demons are capable of getting the job done.

“I think we’ll go pretty well,” he said.

“If we play our best footy, I think we can come away with the win.”

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