Mathew Lyons has been handed the task of stepping into James Smart's big boots.
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Lyons has been named at fullback for Gundagai's clash with Temora at Nixon Park.
It's the first game since the Tigers premiership-winning captain-coach left to play in America.
Coach Adam Perry thought the former Canberra Raiders lower grader was the ideal replacement.
"He's played a fair bit of fullback previously, it is a position he's pretty comfortable with and was keen to have a go at," Perry said.
"It gives him that extra freedom to be at the right side as well as the left.
"He can move around through the middle of the field as well if he wants to."
Lyon has made a fast start to his time with Gundagai, scoring nine tries in five games at centre.
With his strong form on the edge Perry also considered leaving him there and using Will Herring in the number one jumper was another option the Tigers toyed with before deciding to give the more experienced footballer first shot at it.
"Smarty is a big loss for us and at the same time if we didn;'t have Matty it would have been more of a loss," he said.
"I'm really glad he's there but we've actually got a couple of guys at the moment who are pushing really well in lower grades too.
"Will Herring has been outstanding in reserve grade and because of how well Matty was going I was second guessing myself a bit as whether to leave him on left and ask Will to play fullback.
"But we decided to have a crack at this way first."
Lyons linked with the Group Nine club after four years with the Raiders.
He's been enjoying the change of scenery.
"It's been real good," Lyons said.
"The whole town is real nice, everyone gets around it real well in Gundi.
"I love it."
He's looking forward to the change to his more preferred position.
With Lyons heading to fullback Seb Cottam moves out of the second row and into the centres.
It was where he played throughout the pre-season before Gundagai picked by Lyons late.
Perry is confident he'll slot right back in.
"I don't think it will be too much of stress for him," he said.
"It will probably suit his game actually, giving him a little bit more space."
The Tigers are the only undefeated side through the first five rounds.
The premiers host sixth-place Temora on Sunday, who are coming off a win against Kangaroos.
The Dragons have been a bit of a bogey side for the premiers, including a shock win over them in 2017, but Perry is still just looking to focus on themselves.
"They must be going ok with the performances they are putting out there," he said.
"They are still a fairly young side so they are going to be energetic and enthusiastic so it;'s another challenge for us.
"We are still focusing more on ourselves and trying to make sure our game is where it needs to be as opposed to try and dissect what the opposition is doing at this stage.
"Once we get our game to where we want it to be we can start worrying about the other team."
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