THE Ovens and Murray Football-Netball League grand final is going head-to-head with the Tiger Army of the Richmond variety in a fortnight.
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The AFL has locked in the Tigers’ preliminary final for Saturday, September 23 which will be the same day the O and M grand final is played after a move away from the traditional Sunday fixture.
Long-suffering Richmond supporters including 1967 premiership player John Perry from Wodonga are daring to dream the club’s flag drought stretching back to 1980 could end this year.
“I know we haven’t got the key forwards most teams have got,” Perry said.
“But we’ve got away with it so far and if they continue to play with the same tenacity they are going to be hard to beat.”
Perry was made a life member of the Tigers this year and was also an emergency for the club’s 1969 premiership under the late Tom Hafey.
The AFL has not locked in the start time for the September 23 preliminary final, but it could be an afternoon or twilight fixture with an interstate club playing.
O and M chairman Graeme Patterson said the league wouldn't be making a late switch back to Sunday.
“It is football finals time and we can’t change the arrangements we’ve put in place,” he said.
“We’re comfortable with the decision we made.
“We’re hopeful (the AFL final) will be played at night, but those decisions are out of our hands.
“A twilight fixture start time would be around half-time of our grand final.
“Hopefully the local football people support us we would expect them to.”
The O and M grand final will feature the Albury Tigers for the ninth successive year after hanging onto beat Wangaratta by seven points in the second semi-final on Saturday.
The Tigers will be chasing a record-equalling fourth successive flag in a fortnight, but will need to overcome a growing injury list to key players.