The return for the former captain-coach is the only change from the side who downed the Blues 8-6 to book their place in the grand final at Equex Centre on Sunday.

Smart's return at fullback has created a back line reshuffle with Dane O'Hehir shifting to the centres and Damian Willis dropping to the bench.

Coach Adam Perry is confident it is the right move.

"He's got to get through training but he should be right to go," Perry said.

It comes as Tumut have made just the one change as well with co-coach Lachlan Bristow returning from suspension.

Jacob Toppin moves to his usual role at five-eighth after returning at hooker last week for Bristow.

It sees the Blues at full strength for the first time since round three.

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Perry is looking to go out on a high with the grand final to be his last game as Gundagai coach.

He was an assistant coach as Smart led the Tigers to the 2018 before taking over last year.

They were knocked out by Tumut in the preliminary final so the decider offers a chance for the best kind of revenge.

Perry hopes he can deliver.

"They have been a great club to be involved with and it would be good to be able to repay all the help and the three years they have given me with a win," he said.

However with uncertainty over his work situation with the NRL he couldn't commit to another season.

"I've got to figure out if I have a job, if I do how it looks and if I don't what I am going to be doing, so it is hard to commit to anything at the moment," Perry said.

After a draw to start the season the two arch rivals have traded two-point wins in their last two meetings.

Perry expects another tight tussle.

"I think all the boys are confident and keen," he said.

"We know it is going to be a tough game but everyone is ready to go.

"They are both good sides so we just need to play better on the day.

"There is no special potion or secret plays; it is just about playing better on the day."

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