Disbelievingly, the other boys turned to the scoreboard before excitedly dashing to the fence when they saw it was true, the Saints had hit the front.

It was an exuberant response to the opening score of the game, a set-shot behind from Myrtleford forward Steven Tolongs, and reflective of the plight of the Saints supporter.

So deep in the doldrums is the once mighty club that the tiniest of joys are savoured.

The day, of course, belonged to the Tigers.

During the week, Albury’s aim was to remain professional in what was always going to be a belting, and they executed their walloping in a clinical fashion.

Midfielder Shaun Daly epitomised the endeavour.

At no stage was he flashy and he didn’t score one of the 37 goals.

He was, however, uncompromising in his endeavour to win the contested footy and give it to any number of his teammates running past

He finished with 45 disposals.

Joel Mackie kicked four goals, had 36 touches and carried the ball forward of the centre further than anyone on the ground.

Matthew Fowler, who finished with nine goals, continued to lead as if the match depended on it, while Daniel Maher, Sam Duck and Chris Hyde were omnipresent.

Only late in the third quarter did the temptation to lairise become too much, with some players attempting the improbable when they might have otherwise put the ball to the top of the square.

But that was ended at three-quarter time when stand-in coach Jason Sheather asked his teammates to finish the match with their best term.

They did that, winning the term by 66 points.

It was the bleakest of days for the Myrtleford faithful, but they are a durable mob and found plenty of reasons to cheer “their boys”.

A first-quarter goal to the lightning quick, indigenous permit player Alex Lantjin brought about the biggest celebration of the day.

Three gut-busting second-quarter goals, including one to favourite son Josh Chapman, almost brought the crowd to its feet.

There were screams of pride whenever a Saint backed into a pack.

There was praise every time Chapman sprinted 30m to lay a tackle, and much joy taken when former Saint Andrew Carey sprayed a couple of shots at goal.

Myrtleford coach Mathew Crisp, in explaining how he approaches week-after-week of massive defeats, seemed to sum up the ethos of the whole club.

“We try to remain positive,” Crisp said.

“We try to keep as a tight group and have fun off the field as well as trying to enjoy our time on the field.

“I don’t want to get too negative, bag people or put people down.

“It’s hard for everyone, but we just try to remain positive.”