ALBURY is refusing to dismiss Yarrawonga’s premiership credentials heading into Sunday’s grand final re-match.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Pigeons have slumped to fifth on the ladder and are unlikely to have the double chance in the finals to help them in their quest to make a seventh straight grand final.
But Tigers co-coach Chris Hyde knows the Pigeons have the talent to trouble any side on their day.
“You look at their team and they’ve still got 13, from memory, premiership players,” Hyde said.
“For anyone to think that they’re not a genuine contender is kidding themselves.
“I think you’d be silly to write them off.”
Yarrawonga will play North Albury or Wodonga Raiders in a cut-throat elimination final.
But its chances of beating Albury on Sunday suffered a big blow at selection on Thursday night, with midfielder Tim Cooper the latest star to pull out.
Cooper will be rested, while Brandon Symes will miss with an ankle injury, and Matt Dwyer will miss with a hamstring complaint that could be season-ending.
Pigeons co-coach Drew Barnes said Cooper was likely to return next week against Wodonga Raiders.
“He’s just a bit sore,” Barnes said.
“We thought it would be a good opportunity to rest him before finals.”
And there’s still no sign of Brendan Fevola.
The two-time Coleman medallist, who’s booted 39 goals from just 10 games, hasn’t played since breaking his ankle against Lavington in round 11.
“He trained well and got through,” Barnes said.
“He’s almost there.
“He’s had a good couple of weeks now on the track.”
Albury brought back some experience, with Luke Packer and Michael Thompson returning to the side.
But luckless key defender Jay Koehler is out again through injury.
“He’d be a couple of weeks, I would have thought,” Hyde said. Lavington got some big names back for its clash with the Wangaratta Rovers.
Coach James Saker, star forward Justin Koschitzke and star midfielders Matt Pendergast and Luke Garland were all named for Saturday’s match at Lavington.
North Albury named forward Kylin Morey to return from a shoulder injury for its home clash with Myrtleford.
The Alpine Saints remained unchanged from last week’s win over Wodonga.
