Albury claims seventh Ovens and Murray premiership from 10 grand final appearances

Competing in their 10^th successive Ovens and Murray league grand final, the Tigers matched the seven flags Wangaratta Rovers won in the 1970s with an eight-point win against Wangaratta at the Norm Minns Oval on Sunday.

The victory reversed last year's grand final result between the same two clubs with the season decider returning to the Magpies’ home ground for the first time since 1994.

An official crowd of 7146 people who paid $57,783 in gate-takings witnessed Albury race to a 37-point lead early in the second quarter despite kicking into a strong breeze in first term which favoured the northern end of the ground.

The Tigers went through the season undefeated once again, but had to survive a brave fightback from the Magpies who reduced the margin to three points at the last change.

The victory was another triumph for the co-coaching duo of Shaun Daly and Chris Hyde, who will hand over the reins to Peter German next year.

“Wangaratta is a great team,” Daly said.

“A lot of people say a lot of things about the Albury footy club, but our older boys who have been there for years work harder than any group you will see on and off the field.

“They hate losing.”

The match threatened to go into extra time when a curling snap from young Magpie Nick Richards was marked on the goal line by Tiger James Grills in time-on.

Dean Polo, who missed the second semi-final due to injury, was awarded the Did Simpson medal for best player on the ground ahead of first year revelation Jake Gaynor.

Veteran quartet Hyde, Joel Mackie, Luke Packer and Michel Thompson have played in all seven Tiger flags with the latter holding boom Magpie forward Michael Newton to three goals in a pivotal match-up.

Brayden O’Hara booted three important goals for the Tigers and shock selection Matt Walker in his first match at any level for the club also kicked one goal.

Daniel Cross completed a remarkable cross-country journey to play in his second Tigers’ premiership.

A day earlier he was the runner for Melbourne in its preliminary final capitulation against West Coast in Perth.

The Magpies didn’t go empty handed on grand final with the A and B grade netball teams victorious and Wangaratta Rovers taking out the under-18s premiership.

Yarrawonga won the reserves flag by 68 points over Wodonga Raiders with Matt Gorman kicking five goals in a starring role for the Pigeons.

Amanda Umanski claimed the Paula Cary medal for best player on the court in the A grade final.

Goal shooter Umanski scored 42 goals in the Magpies’ 46-35 victory which was set up with a dominant second term performance.

Wangaratta won a 39-38 thriller in the B grade grand final against North Albury, but the Hoppers won the C grade and 16 and under grand finals.