The Pies stormed home in the second half, but fell just short in a crackerjack contest, 14.9 (93) to 13.8 (86).

Albury has dominated the competition over the past two years, losing only one game, but grand final fans will be confident the new kid on the block is a genuine contender.

Of course, Wangaratta must firstly win next Sunday’s preliminary final against Yarrawonga, which it pumped by 76 points in the qualifying final.

But given its performance against a juggernaut, it will be a massive upset if the Pies don’t face Albury in the grand final at the Lavington Sportsground on September 23.

Wangaratta didn’t have its two boom forwards in Michael Newton (hamstring) and Josh Porter (overseas study), but produced a gritty display.

The underdogs could have won, but mistakes torpedoed their hopes.

“I reckon we gave seven of their goals in turnovers and you just can’t afford to do that against Albury,” Wangaratta coach Dean Stone said.

The Pies’ biggest lead was two goals after 25 seconds of the second quarter, while Albury’s was 26 points midway through the third.

The difference between the pair was highlighted in the thrilling final stanza.

Albury did not make one forward entry early, but when defenders Michael Bordignon and Ben Douthie got in each other’s way, largely through desperation, Elliott Powell swooped.

“I think when they came at us in that last quarter, they had the momentum, they had their tails up and we were, somehow, able to swing that momentum around,” Albury co-coach Shaun Daly said.

“It showed a lot of character and a lot of our younger guys stood up.”

Star Tigers’ forward Josh Mellington was the other difference, booting six goals in overshadowing representative defender Bordignon.

After barely touching the ball in the first quarter, he kicked three in a five-minute blitz in the second quarter.

Albury finished without veterans Daniel Cross (calf) and Luke Packer (hamstring), while Michael Duncan was forced to stay on after he injured his knee midway through the third.

It could have backfired as he was hobbled and gave away a free kick to Ben Speight late, but he hit the post to level the scores with a shot he should have converted.

Then, as they have done so often in their nine-year domination, the Tigers swooped, through small forward John Mitchell and then Mellington.