Byron Warren knows there'll be plenty of sledging from the sideline on Sunday but that's just what makes a return to Nyngan that bit more special.
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Warren played most of his junior footy at Nyngan and was captain-coach of the Tigers' first grade side in the 2016 Group 11 season.
Now with Dubbo CYMS, Warren will again lineup at fullback in the absence of Brad Pickering in Sunday's bumper round six match-up at Larkin Oval.
"I'll be getting some curry from the sideline but I'm looking forward to it," he laughed.
"But win or lose I'll be there at the club after the game having a beer with mates. For the 80 minutes she'll be on but after that we'll have a beer and a laugh."
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With Nyngan possessing one of the most slick attacks in the competition, Warren could well be busy for the 80 minutes on Sunday.
The first grade fullback's spot is not one where Warren expected to be this season, but he's enjoying his time in the role again.
Playing has taken more of a back seat in the last couple of years as work as a NRL Development Officer was the main focus.
That role requires plenty of travel so Warren has often been forced to miss training.
The original plan was to have a season of reserve grade with close friends and former junior teammates Tom Yeo and Ainsley Coxsedge.
But injuries, suspension, and captain-coach Jarryn Powyer's ever-changing lineup early in the season meant the three have played together very little so far.
Warren has been in the number one jersey for the past two rounds after Pickering was suspended, while Coxsedge is expected to play at Nyngan on Sunday.
"It was meant to just be a knock-a-round in reggies," Warren said.
"But I always like to play in the top grade."
One thing Warren brings to the field is a huge amount of communication at the back. It was one of the main reasons Powyer chose him to replace Pickering before the Fishies' round four trip to Forbes.
While he admits it sometimes goes over the top - he was sin-binned for swearing in last week's win over Parkes - it's something Warren prides himself on.
"It's one of the main jobs of a fullback," Warren said.
"You've got to organise the defensive line and chat, I've always had that.
"Sometimes it's a bit too much but it's the strength of a fullback and it makes my life easier if I've got blokes in holes and stopping players coming through at me."
The Fishies head to Nyngan unbeaten and four points clear at the top while Nyngan has lost it's past two games and has slipped to fifth in the process.
The Tigers will also be without star captain-coach Justin Carney after he suffered a hamstring injury at Narromine last week, but Josh Merritt has been named to make his return at halfback.
"He (Carney) is definitely a loss for them with his carries and leadership but they've got a lot of strike-power across the park," Warren said.
"You'd almost rather not know if he was playing because you can't take them easy. We've got to start well because if we let them get away it will be hard to claw back."
Warren added he was another who was delighted to see former NRL player Carney back in the bush.
Kick-off in Sunday's first grade game at Nyngan is scheduled for 2.30pm.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
