In a brutally honest assessment of his team’s performance, Hyde said the final margin flattered his team.

The Tigers had few four-quarter performers with the exception of emerging youngster Matt Munro and speedster Lonnie Hampton, who often showed their higher-profile teammates how to go about it.

Albury looked razor sharp early to race to a 35-point lead at quarter-time, but dropped off alarmingly as Myrtleford worked its way back.

The Alpine Saints should have been closer than 61 points at half-time, kicking five successive points which failed to reward the effort of Riley O’Shea, Kristan Height, Mitch Dalbosco and Christian Burgess.

Hyde said Albury needed to get back to the basics in the run to the finals.

“It was disappointing,” Hyde said.

“We played as individuals and you aren’t going to go far in September if you play like that.

“When we play well it’s as a team and that didn’t happen today.

“We were patchy at best and have a lot of work to do.”

Myrtleford outscored Albury by three points in the third quarter with O’Shea often clearing the ball well from defence while Height and Brad Murray led the way around the packs and Jarrod Hayse looked dangerous inside 50.

The Alpine Saints were also delighted with Burgess’ game on Tiger star Brayden O’Hara in the midfield.

Albury redeemed itself to some extent in the final term by kicking four goals to two with key forwards Setanta O’hAilpin and Andy Carey getting on the end of some pinpoint delivery from Munro and Hampton.

The Tigers could be without full back Michael Thompson for several weeks with the premiership player injuring his hamstring in the second half.