Border Mail |DEFENDING premier Albury is bracing itself to face a fired-up Wangaratta when they clash at Norm Minns Oval tonight.
With the Magpies losing coach Mark Knobel during the week on the back of successive losses, Tigers co-coach Chris Hyde said yesterday he expected the home team to come out hard under caretaker Brendan Cairns.
"It's always a bit of a worry when a coach moves on as the side seems to rally," he said.
"I'm sure Wang will be no different.
"They are a proud club and I'm sure they will be up and about."
Wangaratta has been dealt a blow with Xavier Norden sidelined through injury, but the Magpies will regain Morris medallist Jamie Allan for his first match of the season.
In further good news, young defender Michael Bordignon has been selected in the reserves after previously applying for a clearance to Doutta Stars.
Albury is also vulnerable on the injury front, with automatic selections Angus Graham, Hyde, Luke Daly and Jay Koehler missing.
The match starts at 6.10pm.
