The year was 2007. John Howard was prime minister and the Hoppers were the dominant team in Albury.

Fast forward nine years and Dan Leslie and David Miles are the only players that remain from the Hoppers’ senior list that lost the grand final to Wangaratta.

The 34-year-old will make his return to the top grade when North Albury travels to Norm Minns Oval to take on the team that denied him a second Ovens and Murray premiership medallion.

Gilson returns to Bunton Park after eight years coaching in the Hume and Tallangatta leagues.

He moved to Rand-Walbundrie as an assistant coach under Dale Smith in 2008 before taking the Tigers’ top job from 2009-12.

Three seasons in charge of Mitta United followed before Gilson was lured back to the Hoppers as an assistant coach to Jason Akermanis.

“I had pretty bad groins in my first year at Mitta so I just concentrated on the coaching in the last two years,” he said.

“I think I’ve only played seven games in those last two seasons – five in the twos and two in the seniors.

“Coming back as assistant coach at North Albury, I was just going to help the twos out when it came to playing but ‘Aker’ asked me if I wanted to play seniors on Wednesday night.

“I did all the pre-season.

“‘Aker’ is big on the primal nutrition, which all the boys have bought into, so I bought into that and along with training, I’ve lost about 8kg and feel great.

“I can’t wait.”

Gilson said the Hoppers were expecting a fierce response from Wangaratta after the Magpies’ derby loss to the Rovers.

The Magpies have been impressive in defeating Wodonga Raiders and drawing with Yarrawonga but losses to Albury, Lavington and the Hawks have left them in eighth position after five rounds.

“We definitely need the four points because we’ve won one game footy and we’re up to round six,” Magpies coach Brendan Cairns said.

Meanwhile, Wangaratta’s thirds team has been stripped of its opening round victory against the Raiders for fielding more than the maximum four permit players allowed.