After missing out on Harrow-Balmoral's 2018 premiership, Eric Guthrie is determined to make the 2019 Horsham District league grand final his own.
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Guthrie is still hunting his first premiership, having experienced several disappointing grand final days.
"I've played in two or three grand final losses with Harrow and lost them all," Guthrie said.
"It absolutely puts a bit more fire in your belly to achieve that sort of thing."
Guthrie has already made a name for himself performing on the big occasions.
He was his side's best in the losing grand finals of 2016 and 2017, and claimed best on ground honours for the district league in this season's interleague match.
Guthrie said it was just about keeping things under wraps.
"I don't focus on too much, just playing my own game, doing my own routines. Nothing changes," he said.
"It does get a bit hyped up, and being undefeated does put a bit more pressure on, absolutely, but it is what it is. You just have to play."
Guthrie said the 2019 version of Harrow-Balmoral was the best across his seasons at the club.
"Definitely - this is the cream of the crop right here," he said. "We've got a very good chance so we want to make the most of it.
"Everyone is just raring to go."
Guthrie had a season away from football in 2018, shifting states and switching codes with a move to Queensland and rugby league.
Guthrie said returning to Harrow-Balmoral had been a seamless transition, helped by a familiar bunch of faces and a playing group determined to achieve something special.
"The weather here is probably not as nice as Queenland," Guthrie joked. "But apart from that it's been good to come back. I did miss it a bit.
"It was a good feeling, and Harrow were always welcoming to have me back.
"With the boys, we pretty much all went to school together .. so (coming back), I didn't really feel like I'd had that much time away at all."
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