Instead the Tigers are happy with how their side shapes less than two weeks out from the start of the season.

"We're the same as usual," coach Adam Perry said.

"It's very handy to have them back (though). It will be good.

"We didn't really go looking and we've got a pretty good squad and didn't think we needed to chase anyone else."

However with O'Hehir's return from England just where Perry utilises his depth in the playmaking ranks is yet to be determined.

With James Smart playing in America last season both he and Mat Lyons played at fullback, O'Hehir's usual position, with Tyron Gorman and Blake Dunn in the halves.

Perry is yet to commit to the best combinations.

"I'm not sure yet and we've still got a couple of weeks to figure it all out," he said.

Gundagai takes on Tumut in a grudge match to start the season.

The Blues ended the Tigers season in a dramatic preliminary final last year, the first time they had got the better of their closest rivals in 19 games across nine seasons.

However Perry doesn't believe missing out on a grand final appearance for the first time in five years has had a big impact on preparations.

"Every year you try to do well - you don't turn up not to do well," he said.

"I'm not sure after not winning the comp you do anything different as not everyone can win it each year.

"We'll be trying hard.

"Expectations are high at Gundagai to do well every year and I don't think that has changed."

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With contract training allowed for the first time on Thursday, the Tigers held an additional session on Saturday but will return to bi-weekly training sessions in the lead up to their first game on July 18.

While it has been an interrupted preparation, Perry is happy with how things are finally coming together.

"It is a funny old one with what's happened and it was start, stop, start again but it's all been good since we've been back on deck," he said.

"Everyone has been training hard and having fun."

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