WHILE Josh Mellington attracted all the headlines when he signed at Albury from Benalla, there was another premiership-winning forward quietly trading a Saints jumper for the yellow and black.
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Jordan Wolff might have arrived at Barnawartha with a minimum of fuss but he has quickly made a name for himself as one of the best players in the competition.
After playing in consecutive Goulburn Valley grand finals, culminating in the club’s drought-breaking 2015 flag, the 22-year-old has kicked 48 goals in 11 games in a sizzling start to the Tallangatta league season.
He would comfortably get a game in any Ovens and Murray forward line – including alongside Mellington at Albury – but Wolff said he is loving life at Barnawartha.
“It’s been really enjoyable, it’s a bit more relaxed, a bit more fun,” he said.
“It was more of a relief winning the grand final last year after going through the year before undefeated and losing the grand final.
“It was awesome to do it with a lot of blokes I grew up with, there were plenty of local fellas in the team.
“GV is pretty serious footy but out here it’s a bit more relaxed. You’re still serious on game day but afterwards you can let your hair down and have a bit of fun.”
Wolff will be deadly serious when the ball bounces on Saturday for the Tigers’ clash with Mitta United at Barnawartha.
The winner could move four points clear on top of the table and with competition for spots in the top five at an all-time high, the match will be played at finals-like intensity.
The Tigers are coming off a thrilling win against reigning premier Tallangatta and will be hoping for a repeat of their round one victory against the Blues on Saturday.
Tallangatta will look to snap a two-match losing streak when it takes on Kiewa-Sandy Creek.
Remarkably, the Hoppers could drop out of the top five if they go down to the Hawks after losing to the Blues and Tigers in the past two weeks.
Star forward James Breen kicked six goals in a best-on-ground performance when the teams met in round one and will be desperate to help the Hoppers recapture the form that saw them win seven matches on the trot.
Thurgoona will start favourite when it travels to Beechworth but there’ll be no repeat of the 216-point mauling in April.
Wodonga Saints will look for their first win of the season when they host Dederang-Mount Beauty.
Rutherglen faces a danger game against Chiltern at Barkly Park while Wahgunyah and Yackandandah will chase their fourth wins of the season at Wahgunyah.
Xavier Mardling
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
