Border Mail |
ALBURY should regain a host of premiership players for this week’s blockbuster against Lavington after it sat out Saturday’s 51-point win over Corowa-Rutherglen.
Andy Carey, John Mit- chell and Joel O’Connell are all poised to return in a much-needed boost for the Tigers after a less than inspiring win over the Roos.
The Tigers peppered the goals but kicked 21 behinds.
Albury co-coach Daniel Maher said his team couldn’t afford to do the same again this week.
“Obviously you’re happy to get the win at home but to have 40 scoring shots and only get away with a 50-point win is probably not what you’d like,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to next week but if we dish that up, it’s going to be a totally different ball game from our point of view.
“We’ve certainly got things to work on.
“In saying that, Corowa is certainly an improved side and showed us in patches that their footy is capable.”
Things looked ominous early, with Albury livewire Lonnie Hampton booting the first goal of the game just 19 seconds into the first quarter.
Chris Hyde, Luke Wells and Setanta O’hAilpin added three more in quick succession and the floodgates threatened to open.
But the Roos rallied, booting the next three, and entered the first change 26 points behind.
The second term belonged to SANFL recruit Brayden O’Hara.
Albury’s new midfield star booted all four of his goals for the game in that quarter and simply ran riot in the middle of the ground.
Dean Polo, Joel Mackie and Hyde also had the ball on the string for the Tigers.
Mick Thompson was brilliant opposed to Luke Gestier and kept the Roos’ marquee man to just one goal.
Such was Thompson’s dominance, Gestier started the second half on a wing.
Corowa-Rutherglen coach Bryce Campbell, who is no certainty to return for Saturday’s crucial trip to Myrtleford because of an adductor strain, said the Roos’ effort was far better than against Yarrawonga last round.
“I think we’ve come a long way and the group recognises that,” Campbell said.
“I thought we were really competitive.
“In the past it’s been a challenge for the group to get up after playing the better sides.
“The fact we finished the game well gives me a lot of confidence.
“We had one on the bench in the third and nobody in the last, so it’s a credit to the guys and their effort.”
Corowa-Rutherglen is likely to be missing defender Mick Collins (groin) and young ruckman John Robinson (ankle) for this Saturday’s must-win clash at Myrtleford after the pair suffered injuries against the Tigers.
