The last time Gundagai played in a Group Nine grand final Dane O'Hehir was huddled in a London cafe getting in trouble for cheering too loud.
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This time around he'll be centre stage as the Tigers look to claim a third premiership in the past six seasons with a win over Tumut at Equex Centre on Sunday.
After losses in 2011 and 2013, O'Hehir was a key member of Gundagai's breakthrough premiership success in 2015.
He was again on the wrong end of the result in 2016 and 2017 grand finals before leaving midway through the 2018 season after moving to London to teach.
He and Tigers assistant coach Jarrod Crane watched on from afar as the Tigers won another title with a win over Southcity a few months later.
It was his plan to still be in the United Kingdom this season until COVID-19 hit but now he can't wait to line up in another grand final for his hometown club.
"I thought I would still be in England hopefully playing in a grand final for the (Hammersmith) Hills Hoists but it is a welcome change," O'Hehir said.
"There is nothing better and if I got told it was going to be a Gundagai-Tumut grand final I would have been on the first plane back.
"I'm pretty excited."
O'Hehir has enjoyed being back home and playing for the Tigers.
"I'm loving it," he said,
"The lifestyle is a bit of a change of pace but in terms of my footy I'm loving playing for Gundagai at the moment."
O'Hehir started the season in the centres before returning to his customary fullback role after James Smart broke his thumb in round four.
However with Smart returning for the clash with Tumut on Sunday, O'Hehir will switch back.
The 26-year-old is happy to play whatever role he's called upon.
"I'm probably more comfortable playing fullback just because I've played there my whole life but I was really enjoying the centres," O'Hehir said.
"It was a bit of a welcome change, it was something a bit different and I don't really mind where I play this weekend.
"If I'm in the centres that means PJ (Smart) is back and that's going to be beneficial to the team."
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After a draw to start the season Gundagai and Tumut have traded two-points wins over the last month.
The Tigers hit back after losing the minor premiership battle to book their first spot in the grand final.
O'Hehir scored Gundagai's only try in 8-6 win.
He expects it will be another intriguing chapter in the fierce rivalry.
"Gundagai and Tumut is always the game you look for on the calendar to see when you play them," he said.
"For it to be in a grand final I think it is pretty special and it's something I'm really looking forward to."
Courtney Rees
Courtney is a sports journalist from The Daily Advertiser focusing on Group Nine, Southern Inland, cricket, harness racing and greyhound racing.
Courtney is a sports journalist from The Daily Advertiser focusing on Group Nine, Southern Inland, cricket, harness racing and greyhound racing.
