ALBURY co-coach Daniel Maher has dismissed suggestions the Tigers’ 51-point loss to Lavington could be a blessing in disguise.
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Despite being undefeated since round 14 last season, Maher downplayed talk the defeat could release pressure on the eve of the finals.
“I hate losing,” Maher said.
“To win 21 in a row is irrelevant, we knew we had to bring our best today.
“We got shown up in all areas.
“We didn’t take our opportunities early and that hurt us.”
In an error-riddled contest, Lavington won the first three quarters narrowly before kicking 6.3 to 1.1 in the final quarter to romp home.
Panther Tom Hargreave played arguably his best match for the victors in kicking five goals while Adam Prior created havoc late to finish with four.
Matt Sharp provided a presence at the clearances, John Hunt capped off a solid performance with a miraculous goal from the grandstand pocket boundary in the third quarter and Nick Meredith kept tabs on Tiger star Brayden O’Hara for the second time this season.
It took 14 minutes for a goal to be kicked with Luke McLellan hitting the scoreboard first.
Hargreave and Andrew Dess followed up to show the Panthers meant business before Bryce Carroll kicked Albury’s only major after the quarter-time siren.
Little changed in the second and third quarters as the teams went virtually goal for goal with the home side’s hunger keeping them in front.
Despite being in the contest until the final 15 minutes, Albury’s only real winner was Joel Mackie.
He worked himself into the ground with O’Hara, Dean Polo and Chris Hyde failing to have their usual impact on the game.
Albury youngster Zac Sproule showed glimpses of his talent on debut but was generally starved of opportunities.
Aisakie o'hAilpin had his moments on the ball and up forward and youngster Michael Duncan and Joel O’Connell worked hard.
Lavington played a far more disciplined game than last weekend against Wodonga Raiders with Saker admitting it would be tough at the selection table this week.
“We were really pleased with our four quarter effort,” Saker said.
“A few little things we tried worked and a few didn’t.
“We would like to get three or four back next week which will be difficult given the team effort today.
“It’s a positive that we think we can add to our game today.”
Both teams should regain plenty of firepower over the next fortnight with Matt Pendergast and Saker good chances of returning from Achilles and hamstring injuries for Lavington’s clash against Wangaratta Rovers this weekend.
Justin Koschitzke will resume after missing with work commitments.
Tiger defenders Luke Packer and Michael Thompson may sit out another week with niggles before returning in round 18.
