Firstly, he craved the opportunity to play under coach Paul Spargo after spending time with him at Richmond and, secondly, he believed the Tigers were a genuine shot at winning the Ovens and Murray premiership.

The second part of the deal was sealed at Lavington Panthers Oval yesterday when the unbeaten Tigers trounced Yarrawonga by 77 points to stamp themselves as one of the great O and M teams.

Hyde received the unexpected bonus of picking up the Did Simpson medal along the way.

“I have played at the top level, but it was fairly lean pickings,” Hyde said.

“I never really dreamt of a premiership in my first year back in the country and this is

fantastic.

“I’m over the moon.

“I’m pretty short of words actually.

“It’s been fantastic right through from the club to the boys and to go through undefeated is something I would never have dreamt of.

“To come away with a premiership medallion is an unbelievable feeling.

“The medal is great, but the premiership was what we really wanted.”

Hyde, who was delisted by Richmond at the end of last season and soon became swamped by offers from O and M and interstate clubs, capped off a stellar season with 22 touches including nine in the second term as Albury swamped its opponents with a brilliant display of running football.

While many at the ground were shocked that teammate Joel Mackie was overlooked for the Did Simpson medal, the silky left-footer was outstanding despite being tagged by Dean Bigger.

Hyde said Albury’s wealth of options was a decisive factor in the victory with Shaun Daly, Mackie, Jayden Kotzur, Ben Fixter, Jason Sheather, Andrew Carey and Charles Gaylard being rotated heavily through the centre square.

Hyde said he was likely to return next season despite working at Tumut as a ranger.

“There are a lot of quality players and quality blokes at this club and I’m rapt to be a part of it,” he said.

“I think people actually think Tumut is a bit further away than it really is.

“It’s only two hours.

“Blokes who travel from Melbourne travel a lot further and the highway has been opened up which helps.

“I’ve loved every minute of it.

“This caps it off.”