The Tigers created headlines during the preseason when they embarked on an audacious recruiting blitz that netted Andrew Carey, Shaun Daly, Chris Hyde and Joel Mackie but Spargo said the club’s efficient victory was evidence there was more to the club than its star additions.

“We had more Albury-based players than recruits today, (and) I think (we had) less than what Lavington had today in terms of recruits and yet everyone speaks about Albury’s recruits,” he said.

“We’re really, really happy with the guys that were here last year and our younger guys coming through — they’ve been given opportunities and they’ve grabbed them.

“Your Andrew Robinsons, Jay Koehlers, Luke Packers, Charlie Gaylards, Cal McClays, Luke Heymes have all been really impressive, Ed Clark played his best game for the club ... (Matt) Fowler, (Jason) Sheather, all those guys are really complementing our recruits.”

Though, it was recruits Mackie and Carey who inspired the Tigers to an eight-goal-to-one opening term from which Lavington never recovered.

Carey provided a dangerous option deep in Albury’s forward line, kicking two first-quarter goals and outpointing Paul Sanson while Mackie was in everything — his desperation, talent and tenacity laying the foundations for a crushing Albury win.

Matt Fowler strengthened his Doug Strang Medal claims with a six-goal haul.

Conversely, Lavington was simply woeful.

The Panthers turned over the ball repeatedly and made shocking decision-making errors, with their chances of causing an upset effectively shot by quarter time.

Spargo said the opening term was as good as the Tigers could play.

“The first quarter was as good as we’ve played all year,” he said.

“Our pressure and efficiency going forward was really good ... our first half was magnificent.

“(It was a) tad disappointing when we knew Lavi would come back at us (and) we just went away from a few areas we’re generally really good in, but I was really pleased with the effort for three quarters and not that pleased with one.”

The one quarter in question was the third, when the Panthers, facing a 73-point deficit, lifted and challenged the undefeated Tigers.

With Bill Neely, Myles Aalbers, Luke Schilg, Lachlan Boyd and captain Kade Stevens increasing their influence, the visitors slammed on eight goals to two, at one stage kicking six majors in a row to draw within 30 points of Albury.

But a melee deep in Albury’s forward line late in the term robbed the Panthers of their momentum.

While at least 12 players expressed their differences, Albury snatched a goal just before the three-quarter time siren.

Simon Bunyan was reported for striking Mackie and was marched from the ground for his involvement in the scuffle.

Panthers coach Tim Sanson was left to lament his team’s woeful start to the game.

“That first half was terrible, our second half was good — but when you’re seven goals down at quarter time it’s game over,” he said.

“When the game was up for grabs, we weren’t good enough.

“(The third term was the) best quarter of footy we’ve played all year, so there’s positives in that but they’re too good to just do that for one quarter, you have to sustain it for a whole game.”

The only serious injury arising from the game was Lavington’s Luke Garland (ankle), who limped off in first 10 minutes and had what Sanson described as precautionary X-rays on Saturday.