The Blues co-coach missed the preliminary final win over Young due to suspension but returns for the decider against Gundagai at Equex Centre on Sunday.

Bristow successfully had his grade two striking charge downgraded, after a dramatic end to the last match up against the Tigers, to ensure he would have a chance to play in the grand final.

Now that the Blues booked their spot, the 27-year-old can't wait to get back on the field after being an extremely nervous spectator last week.

"It was torture and a lot harder than playing the game as the nerves never left," Bristow said.

"By the end of it I was mentally drained.

"When you play as soon as you kick off and you make your first tackle but it is a different story when you are not playing."

Grand finals are always big occasions, as are games between Tumut and Gundagai.

When you add the two together it has the potential to create a bigger spectacle.

However Bristow doesn't believe it changes the approach.

"They are games you really get excited for, especially playing Gundagai in a grand final," he said.

"We know what it is like against Gundagai and we know how you have to play in grand finals and it is pretty much the same.

"You have to be up for it."

Bristow has battled injury in both seasons since returning home to play for the Blues last year.

However he stepped up when it counted last season, scoring a hat-trick of tries to be named John Hill Medal winner.

The 27-year-old played down expectations ahead of this year's decider.

"I'll try but I doubt it," Bristow said.

"I was pretty with how that all happened so I'll be doing good to get one let alone three."

Bristow has joined older brother Dean in the Blues coaching set up this season.

It's been one with plenty of challenges, but the chance to go back-to-back is plenty of incentive as he weighs up his future and if he can handle another winter in the hills.

"I'm still undecided whether I will stay another year," he said. "Originally I was only going to have one year here and then one year turned into two.

"I'm definitely looking at other options - whether I go back up north or somewhere else."

With Bristow's return Jacob Toppin will move back to five-eighth, Brayden Draber returns to centre with Lewis Arragon dropping back to the bench.

It is the first time the Blues have had their first coach spine since round three.

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