Albury Thunder stalwart Rex Sargeant has been handed the biggest test of the first week of finals by being named in a position he's never played on a permanent basis.
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The 26-year-old was named at centre for Saturday's sudden death home game against Wagga Brothers.
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Coach Adrian Purtell dropped the bombshell on Monday night.
"I was a bit shocked at first, I wasn't really expecting it, but I'll take it with both hands," Sargeant said.
Regular centre Damien Scott was forced out through injury.
Sargeant has played around 150 games at either first or reserve grade level.
He played in the club's 2013-14 premierships, coming on as an interchange player.
Sargeant has mainly played hooker, but the club's English import Joe Lumb has forced him out of the top grade.
He started this season as the reserve grade hooker, but has since moved to fullback, which will help him make the transformation to the centres.
"Adrian has told me to mainly focus on defence, trying to shut down the opposition centre and take advantage of our attack when we can," Sargeant said.
Wagga Brothers have been in superb form over the past three months, winning 10 of their last 13 games.
The club also toppled top three outfit Southcity.
Thunder's form last week was the exact opposite, suffering a 40-16 hiding against Wagga Kangaroos, admittedly in a match where it couldn't move up or down the ladder, although the same could be said of Brothers.
"I've been a bit nervous all week, more excited than anything, but I just can't wait to get my chance," Sargeant said.
The teams have met twice this season with Thunder smashing the understrength visitors 40-16 in round two.
Brothers then handed the Border outfit its biggest loss in round 11, 54-14.
The win came just a week after Thunder's best win against premiers Gundagai.
Brothers scored a gut-wrenching finals win at Albury's Greenfield Park around a decade ago, scoring a try in the final minutes - which had to be seen to be believed - on a quagmire.
Generally, the team with the home ground advantage will start favourites in an elimination final, but Brothers deserve at least equal favouritism.
Thunder will play all five grades.
"It's a massive day for the club," Sargeant said.
"There's a really good vibe around all the boys this year, the firsts and reserves are both playing pretty good footy."
Given the prospect of fine weather and a dead rubber round in Ovens and Murray football, officials will be hoping to attract a bumper crowd.