Bristow will slot into halfback to cover suspended playmaker Jordan Anderson for the clash against Gundagai at Twickenham on Saturday.

Anderson is serving a three-week suspension after being sent off in the heavy grand final loss to Gundagai last season.

With limited playmaking options, Bristow will move to the halves with Jesse Bellchambers to come into his usual hooker role.

"I thought I would try to steer the ship," Bristow said.

"Jesse's preferred position is hooker anyway."

Clashes between the two rivals are big enough on their own.

However with both clubs celebrating their centenaries an extra prize will be on the line.

The two teams will play for the Maher Cup, just like they did in the first ever challenge 100 years ago.

Bristow believes it adds another dimension to the grand final rematch.

"None of that stuff really matters as just the fact we're playing Gundagai means it's a big one regardless of the occasion," Bristow said.

"We are going to be up for it."

READ MORE

The Blues have a very different looking side to the one who fell 40-18 against the Tigers in last year's grand final.

Mitch Ivill has returned to rugby league and will start at fullback with Andrew Harris and Tom Hickson new faces on the wing.

New recruit Ron Leapai will start in the second row with Adam Pearce reverting to lock.

Bristow believes it allows the Riverina representative to switch roles throughout the clash.

"We'll try to rotate Ron to give him sometime in the middle as well as some time on the edge," he said.

Gundagai welcome back Troy Barby at lock after he missed the back end of the season with an ankle injury with Royce Tout pushing into the front row.

It sees Joel Field start off the bench while Dylan Murdoch has also returned to the first grade fold.

While Gundagai have a much more settled line up, co-coach Luke Berkrey isn't sure it will be that much of an advantage.

"Early in the season the games aren't about who has the better sides on the field but who can hold the ball for longer and all the little things," Berkrey said.

"Especially being up there (in Tumut) it is always a bit of a dog fight so it is going to be a good game."

Berkrey is hoping to be able to take the Maher Cup back to Gundagai.

"There is a lot of history around the cup and it would certainly be something great to take home and be able to say we've won it," he said.

"It's something we're keen to get hold off."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: