A desire to play alongside his brother for a season and help his junior club out will see Sam Ryan run out in his first grand final for Wagga Tigers on Saturday.
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Ryan has spent the season travelling from Sydney to link up with younger brother Nick at his home club.
It has proven a big commitment for Ryan, who owns his own business in Sydney, but one that he says has been more than worthwhile.
"I've had to manage my time pretty well to squeeze it in with work but it's been good," Sam said.
"We've grown as a company and it's not necessarily me on the tools all the time now, which has helped."
Ryan, 27, has spent the past five years in Sydney, where he won a premiership in 2015 with Sydney University in premier reserves.
While Nick tasted premiership success at Tigers in 2016, Sam will run out for his first senior grand final in Tigers colours against Griffith at Narrandera Sportsground.
"It's going to be awesome. Growing up playing juniors for Tigers, it's something I wanted to get back and be a part of," Sam said.
"It's good being back around the club and the country footy environment. It's pretty special."
Further strengthening Sam and Nick's family ties at the club is their grandfather Ron Terry, who was awarded life membership at Tigers last year.
Nick revealed Terry played a big part in his brother's decision to play at Tigers this season.
"It's been great to get the chance to play together. Pop's getting a bit older and wanted us to have a year together before he moves on. They were his words!" Nick said.
"He's very happy. He didn't get to see the last grand final in 2016 because he was crook so to watch us both in a grand final will be pretty unreal.
"It's been good and it's worked out really well to play in a grand final together."
Sam has enjoyed playing footy in front of his Pop again.
"It's been pretty special for him. He's pretty happy every time we run out together," he said.
"He's a pretty loyal supporter and it's pleasing for him to see us have a run around together."
A couple of trips home to watch Tigers last year convinced Sam the time was right to return to his home club.
"I came down to a couple of games last year and watched Tigers get spanked about. I didn't like seeing your home club like that so I was pretty keen to get involved," Sam said.
"One thing led to another and I signed up. It's been a bit of a commitment but I've managed it and it's been good fun."
It is the first full season the pair have played together. Nick, who is Tigers captain, has enjoyed finally having a year with his brother.
"All the travelling has been a fair bit on him but at the end of the day if we end up winning the flag it will be worth it. It's just one more game," Nick said.
"There's a lot of brothers and relatives in the team. t's great to have such a tight knit group. It makes you want to do it that little bit more for each other."
Sam started the year across half-back for Tigers but has finished the year at centre-half-forward, as well as going through the midfield.
Nick, 25, plays predominantly in the midfield, while he also spends time up forward and has kicked 36 goals for the year.
The Tigers skipper is confident they can turn around consecutive losses to Griffith over the past month come Saturday.
"They've obviously hit form at the right time of year but in saying that we've hit form as well. We've stepped up the last two weeks and hit our straps," Nick said.
"I reckon we can definitely turn the tables. We match up pretty evenly on each other, both teams will be suited by the big ground at Narrandera so it will be up to the best team on the day."
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