TROY Maiden will go head-to-head with Osborne for the first time in 24 years when he coaches Wagga Tigers at Robertson Oval on Saturday.
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Originally from Lockhart, Maiden last crossed paths with the Hume league club when he returned to the Demons in 1996.
He was assistant-coach to Wagga Tigers president Anthony Lyons that season.
"It's been a while," Maiden said.
"I certainly wasn't expecting to coach against Osborne in the Riverina league."
Maiden understands better than most Osborne's proud history and is expecting the Ostriches to be hard to beat in their first taste of Riverina football since being released from the Hume league.
"Osborne is a very proud club," Maiden said.
"They certainly know how to win if you look at their record in the Hume league over the past 20 or 25 years.
"They are so used to winning.
"We are expecting them to come and have a real red, hot crack.
"We will have to play well that's for sure.
"It's something new for them coming into a new league and for some reason when that happens teams tend to have a real spike."
Wagga Tigers will field virtually a new team to the one that led them to last year's premiership.
Former Murray Magpies ruckman Tom Osmotherly will be one player who is missing after being caught up in Victorian coronavirus restrictions.
Former players Luke Gestier and John Buchanan are among the additions.
Meanwhile, Osborne star Connor Galvin wants to prove his side can be competitive in the six-team competition.
"We're keen to just get into the league and show what we've got coming across from the Hume league," Galvin said.
"Without our coach (Albury-based Joel Mackie) and a couple of our assistants, it's going to be a good opportunity for our boys to step up and really grow into those leadership roles.
"We want to do Osborne proud, but we also want to show that the Hume football league teams are capable of playing some pretty good footy.
"We don't want our colours lowered, we at least want to create a contest each week and give the league a good name.
"The Tigers have obviously got a very good side and are really quick, from what I've heard. We'll have our work cut out for us."
