ALBURY midfield ace Joel Mackie rated yesterday’s epic seven-point win over fierce rival Yarra-wonga as brutal as any of the past five deciders between the two league heavyweights.
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Yesterday, Mackie alongside co-coach Chris Hyde, Andy Carey and Michael Thompson were the only four Tigers to have played in all six deciders.
Craig Ednie, Xavier Leslie and Jeremy O’Brien were the only three players to do likewise for the Pigeons.
“That’s right up there with one of the hardest one’s I’ve played in,” Mackie said.
“Yarrawonga are a great team and everyone wanted to tell you in the lead-up that we were going to romp it in.
“By no means did we think that.
“They are a good team, they came hard and we were just lucky enough to hang on.
“I just think we were slightly better in the moments that matter.
“We had to be.”
Mackie said the Tigers lacked no motivation after teammate James McQuillan was on the ground as they ran through the banner and was part of the team photo before the first bounce.
“It been a big year for everyone at the club and to have James here today was a huge inspiration,” he said.
“There were also a few players unlucky to miss out, like Josh Maher, Andrew Dennis and Jim Grills.”
Yesterday’s was Mackie’s ninth grand final appearance, after also playing in North Albury’s two most recent grand final losses in 2004 and 2007.
Mackie also played in Jindera’s 2008 flag triumph.