Albury will face a baptism of fire against two former NRL players in its first game in almost 20 months on Sunday.
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The Thunder didn't contest last year's shortened competition due to COVID travel concerns, so its last competition match was a bruising 17-10 loss to eventual premiers Tumut in the 2019 minor semi-final.
They host Young at Greenfield Park.
The Cherrypickers fell in last year's preliminary final and are expected to contend for the title one more.
After two pre-seasons Albury has lost a number of key players from that gritty display, including rugged English prop Brad Nicholson (Coffs Harbour) and hard-running back-rower Liam Wiscombe (Wests Newcastle).
However, the club has also signed a number of players, including Leeton product Ty Fletcher and Welsh international James Olds.
Olds was set to play for the Thunder last season and after they couldn't their place in the competition returned to Southern Inland to help Wagga City to the title.
Coach Adrian Purtell is looking forward to seeing what Olds can produce in his Group Nine debut.
"He's really quick, hopefully we can utilise that and he's played at a higher level, so we can use that experience to get some high quality involvements in the game," Purtell said.
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While one Wiscombe has departed, younger brother Jeremy has forced his way into hooker.
"He's got a really good running game, he's quite instinctive, hopefully he can take a few carries on the back of some quick play the balls," Purtell offered.
"Some of the rule changes from the NRL are also in our competition so it will speed up the game and bring those smaller guys into the game a little more."
Wiscombe's inclusion means Joe Lumb will shift to lock.
"We've lost a few guys in the forwards, so Joe's a high quality player who can play both positions," Purtell suggested.
The Thunder have also been boosted by the return of Jon Huggett, who was set to miss last season after winning the club's best and fairest in 2019.
The Thunder will get the first crack at trying to manage the three Cornish siblings after they made the move from Goulburn to Young this season.
Halfback Mitch played 15 NRL games for Canberra before playing another five games at the Roosters.
Tyler also played one first grade game with Gold Coast in 2017 and will play fullback, while five-eighth Nick rounds out the talented trio.
"The Cornish boys have been through the (elite) system with the Raiders, I think they're (Young) pushing for a premiership, so it will be good to see where we're at," Purtell said.
