Rava has been one of Osborne's best performers in a shortened AFL Riverina Championship season despite being 36 and stepping into a higher level of competition.

"It's been a whirlwind season that's for sure," Rava said.

"I thought a line was going to be put through the season to be honest I didn't get as fit as I would have liked.

"It's been enjoyable though and feels a bit surreal going into what will be out final game of the year on Saturday."

It's fitting that Rava has had the opportunity to play against Wagga Tigers and Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong in the twilight of his playing days.

He started out as a junior at Wagga Tigers before going on to win a best and fairest and coach the club for two seasons.

Rava also enjoyed phenomenal success with Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong, playing in five flags in one of the Lions' golden eras.

The Wagga electrician admits he's enjoyed the banter that comes with playing against former clubs.

"There have been a few text messages here and there as well as running into them and stirring each other up a bit," he said.

"One of the older Tigers fellas said there had been a fair bit of testosterone built up from everyone.

"It's been enjoyable playing blokes you know."

Despite having suffered several serious leg injuries including a broken leg in Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong's 2006 grand final victory, Rava has played about 280 matches.

He is glad Osborne bit the bullet after the Hume league abandoned its season and applied to play in the AFL Riverina Championship.

"Without a town and all of that, it was imperative we kept it going and kept everyone thinking about Osborne," he said..

"Blokes could go elsewhere and it's hard to get them back sometimes.

"I think we've also exposed ourselves to potential recruits in another league as well.

"We've kept ourselves on the tip of the tongue.

"I'm sure a few Hume league clubs have enjoyed seeing us lose and seeing the results but at the end of the day we went into the league to be competitive and I think we've done that.

"We just haven't quite had the consistency and in a comp like this you miss your top players like Joel (Mackie), Jamie Parr and George Alexander

"I definitely think the year has been a big positive for the club."

So will Saturday be the dual Osborne premiership mentor's final match?

"I've just been taking it week by week for a couple of years now," he said.

"My body is feeling OK.

"I'm probably carrying a couple of kilos which I hope I won't have if I go around again next year.

"If I think I can play a role, I'll probably go around again."