The Tiger's 2019 premiership skipper spent 2019 plying his trade for Renmark Rovers in the Riverland Football League while completing placement for his Doctor of Medicine.

Now back in his familiar black and yellow, Curran as co-captain alongside Max Proud, has helped lead the Tigers to the minor premiership with three rounds to play.

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"It's pretty pleasing to get it (minor premiership) with still a few games to go," Curran said.

"We've got a few wise-heads in the group now that know it doesn't really mean too much and we want to win the big one."

The Tiger's 2019 premiership broke a drought of 33-years and Curran believes the breakthrough victory puts them in good stead leading into this year's finals series.

"Thinking back to that first final we played that year, we didn't play too well against Port. We ended up losing by under a goal, just because there was only a few of us that had played in a final before," he said.

"We've got a fair crew from 2019 still playing and we played that final last year so it definitely helps.

"It's just another game but it is a bit different in all honesty."

After receiving SANFL Team of the Year honours as captain in 2019, the defender has continued to frustrate attackers in 2021 as well as spending time on the wing.

"I'm probably getting a bit more attention this year which makes it a bit difficult on some days but it's been pretty solid," Curran said of his form.

"I've been playing down back and a bit on the wing lately as well. It's good being able to mix it up. We're pretty strong across the board..."

Leading a state league team is a big commitment but it is one that Curran takes pride in.

"I enjoy the role, there's a lot more that comes with it, not just on the football field," he said.

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"To do it with Max Proud this year as joint captain takes a bit of the load off that side of things as well as the load on the field.

"It's an honour in a way to do it and to do it with someone else helps."

Off-field Curran is in the final year of a medical degree and is looking forward to farewelling the student life at the end of the year.

"I'm a bit over the student life, I'm ready to get working," he said.

"Placement's what I'm doing at the moment, seven or eight until four or five, it's just like working a full-time job like the other guys do."

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