Sturt linked with Queensland Cup club Wynnum Manly this year before COVID-19 created a change of plans.

Instead he returned home to help the Blues to back-to-back grand final appearances.

However with the move to under 21 he's made the difficult decision to give himself another shot in Queensland.

"The 21s is definitely a plus as I get to have another crack at age group footy," Sturt said.

"However the choice wasn't as easy as I thought.

"I thought I was definitely going to go as that was where I was at the start of the year but as the season went I just enjoyed being back home and playing for Tumut so much it ended up being more of a decision than I thought it was going to be.

"It is really bad timing especially with Zac (Masters) and Hook (Lachlan Bristow) coaching but just with my age I thought it would be stupid not to have a crack."

How Tumut finished off the season, with a 40-18 thrashing from arch rivals Gundagai in the decider didn't make the decision any easier for the 20-year-old.

It remains a sore point with the talented forward.

"It was a real weird game and I don't think I've ever played in a game like that before," Sturt said. "Especially in a game as big as it was for it to be so one sided for the majority of the game is still tough to stomach.

"I've tried not to think about it too much but I think we were a bit battered and bruised and did really well to get there."

Sturt is expected to be one many Blues who won't line up next year.

Co-coach Dean Bristow has retired, Matt Richards is set to join and there are doubts over a number of the travelling contingent.

"There will definitely be a few holes to fill so the team might look a fair bit different last year," Sturt said.

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