THE last time Brent Arho was at Crossroads Oval, he was a premiership hero.
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Arho only spent one season at Collingullie-Glenfield Park but the full-forward made a big impact with 70 goals from 14 games.
It was his last game in Demons colours that he will be remembered most for as he produced a six-goal effort in the 2014 grand final to lead Collingullie to a come-from-behind victory over Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes.
Arho will return to Collingullie for the first time since the premiership celebrations on Saturday, as full-forward for Griffith.
After two seasons back home in Victoria, Arho has returned to the Riverina League this year as the Swans’ marquee recruit.
Arho, 28, travels from Numurkah each week to play with Griffith and the imposing key forward admitted he is unsure how he feels ahead of his trip to Crossroads Oval on Saturday.
“I’ve got mixed emotions, to be honest,” Arho said.
“I’m excited but I don’t know how I’ll feel playing against them. To win a grand final there was pretty special.
“They all rang me when I signed at Griffith to wish me all the best and I'm still very close with them all.
“When it comes down to it, I’ve got a job to do, they’ve got a job to do, we’ll play hard but fair and then we’ll go and enjoy a beer afterwards.”
Arho has kicked 15 goals in his first four outings for Griffith.
He injured his knee in the round three win over Narrandera and then played under duress a week later against Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong.
A week off with the representative bye last weekend has helped Arho and he hopes he will be close to full fitness for the Collingullie clash.
“I won’t know until I play,” he said.
“For me now, it’s 100 per cent, but it’s hard to know exactly until you’re in a game situation.”
Griffith have lost just one of their opening four games but face their biggest test yet against the undefeated ladder leaders.
Arho gives the Swans a chance of an upset on the road.
“I reckon we do (have a chance), I know what Griffith is capable of,” Arho said.
“This year we haven’t strung four consistent quarters together and we’re still travelling pretty good. With a few new players it’s always going to take a few weeks to gel, get used to our structures and that sort of thing.
“I know that I and the Griffith club have the utmost respect for Collingullie and it’s going to be a tough game.
“Every team can win on their day this year from what I’ve seen, it’s a good thing for the competition.”
