ALBURY co-coach Daniel Maher has rated the current crop of Tigers the best of the past eight years.
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The Tigers are shooting for their sixth flag in eight years with the 2016 model on track to repeat the feat of 2009, when they went through the season undefeated.
After winning last year’s grand final against Lavington, the Tigers brought in former AFL players Daniel Cross and Josh Mellington along with three-time premiership player and Morris medallist Shaun Daly as co-coach.
While Maher said comparisons would mean little if the Tigers didn’t win on Sunday, he admitted it was hard to go past a side containing the likes of Setanta and Aisake O’hAilpin and Dean Polo.
“It would be,” Maher said when asked if this was the Tigers’ best side of their golden era.
“To add Daniel and Josh, it’s certainly bolstered our list.
“To have Shauny back playing the footy he is and leading from the front, it’s been exceptional from that point of view.
“But it’s more for you guys (in the media) to compare, we just go about what we have to do.
“If Sunday doesn’t go our way, then comparisons don't really stack up.”
Speedster Elliott Powell is almost certain to miss the grand final with a foot injury but Maher said ruckman Aisake O’hAilpin (hamstring) and defender Michael Thompson (quad) were likely to come into the side despite missing the second semi-final win over Lavington.
Ben Dower rucked superbly against the Panthers just under a fortnight ago but would face a battle to retain his place if O’hAilpin is fit.
“They’re coming along really well, we were fortunate enough to have the weekend off and we were able to put some work into those guys and freshen up some others,” Maher said.
“‘Thommo’ has played in five of our flags and Aisake is a six-foot-seven ruckman who can play on ball.
“If they’re both fit and firing, they’ll both put their hand up.”
Daly predicted a fierce contest against the Panthers, who have pushed the Tigers for three quarters in their past two encounters before fading in the final term.
“Our group has been tested this year, Lavington has tested us, Raiders and Myrtleford, we’ve been tested a lot of times this year, particularly late in games, and we’ve responded,” he said.
“It’s great to have an unbeaten record but it doesn’t count for too much come Sunday.
“We’ve got enough experienced heads who have been through it in the past that can stand up and lead.”
Maher, Thompson, Joel Mackie, Luke Packer and Chris Hyde are gunning for their sixth flag.
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.
