PETER Boon was there when Westside played their last Group 11 match in 1999 and just two years into their return he will run out in a grand final in the red and green.
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Boon is one of the veterans of the Rabbitohs reserve grade side which takes on Macquarie in Sunday's decider at Caltex Park and he is also one of the club's favourite sons.
When Westside were given the green light to return to Group 11 in November of 2013 not many people were as happy as Boon.
"If words can describe it, I was ecstatic," he said.
"To have Westside back in the competition, not just to have it for seniors but it gives more kids from Dubbo the chance to be developed.
"The family atmosphere is here, it was like that back in '99 when I last played for Westside and it's starting to get back to that again."
Boon spent much of the time Westside were out of the competition with Sunday's opponents, Macquarie.
He was a key utility during the Raiders' run to the 2008 Group 11 first grade premiership, lining up alongside many of Sunday's opponents.
On Sunday Boon is expected to line up in the number six jersey and admits for 60 minutes he will forget the good times he has shared with many of the Raiders.
"It's going to be hard playing against blokes I've won finals with before but that's football," he said.
"We're all going out to make our clubs proud so good luck to them too.
"There's not much of a difference because they've got experienced players Chris Daley, Chris Ahsee, Zac Rennick and Hale Gordon.
"They're are all blokes I won a grand final with in 2008 so neither side is short of experience."
Boon said it had been positive for his side to have last week off while the Raiders won a thrilling preliminary grand final against Forbes.
While both sides possess a number of more experienced players vital in a big game like this, they also have some younger stars who could light up grand final day.
A number of those younger Westside players only returned to football in recent times while some had not even played rugby league before the Rabbitohs' return.
Boon admitted it was up to the likes of him to help those players prepare for the decider, saying his aim was to try and keep them calm and approach it like any other match.
"But it's going to be hard for some of the juniors who haven't played in a final before but as long as they play hard and well and give it all their best no matter of the outcome," he said.
