Spargo’s soldiers return glory days to Tigerland

Twelve months ago Spargo was coaxed back for a third stint as coach of Albury which drew level on 15 premierships with Rutherglen and Wangaratta Rovers after a ruthless dissection of the Pigeons at the Lavington Panthers Oval by 77 points.

The Tigers became only the fourth club to go through a season undefeated and the first since Wangaratta Rovers in 1994.

Albury replaced the Hawks as the O and M superpower under Spargo in the mid-1990s when the Tigers won three successive premierships and the club’s first flag in 12 years yesterday could be the start of another black and gold dynasty.

The Tigers reserves also capped off an undefeated season by romping home yesterday at the expense of Wodonga.

Spargo joined Wangaratta Rovers’ Darryl Smith as a three-time O and M premiership coach with only Wangaratta’s Mac Holten and Hawks’ duo Neville Hogan and Laurie Burt coaching four flags in the 116-year history of the competition.

The Tigers’ triumph was set up in the first quarter when they opened a 30-point lead at quarter- time despite kicking against the breeze.

The flag was sealed with a second-term blitz which netted a further eight goals and restricted the Pigeons to just one goal to half-time to open a match- winning 73-point lead at the long break.

Albury’s final score of 22.13 (145) was the highest since Lavington kicked 21.21 (147) to beat Myrtleford in the 2001 grand final.

“There has been a lot of hard work and it all started in September last year,” Spargo said.

“We’ve got a magnificent group right through from No. 1 to No. 45 or 50.

“It’s a team effort and I am just proud of all the guys.

“We knew Yarra were going to come hard and it had been written up in the press that way.

“But, credit to our guys, they absorbed what was thrown at them and went on with the job.

“I said to them before the game we have been timed to perfection.

“It was the strongest, fittest country club I’ve ever seen and it’s a proud moment and I’m proud to be part of it.

“We did it against worthy opponents and credit to Yarra.”

Spargo returned to coach the Tigers last year when North Albury premiership coach Corey Lambert was poised to replace Luke Carroll, who was one of the club’s many stars yesterday.

His appointment kick-started a recruiting blitz that netted Did Simpson medallist and Morris Medal runner-up Chris Hyde, VCFL Medal winner Joel Mackie, Shaun Daly, Andrew Carey and Michael Thompson.

“I came back to coach because I saw an opportunity to let (Daniel Maher), Luke (Carroll) and Jason (Sheather) worry about footy and I could steer the ship,” Spargo said.

“It let them concentrate on their footy and I could do the hard things a coach has to do.

“They are great leaders and we are fortunate to have guys like that.

“I inherited most of this group and we’ve added a few recruits obviously and they have been great.

“Our theme has been 21 contributors and they all contributed today.”

The Tigers have also made a stunning off-field transformation in recent seasons led by businessman Colin Joss.

“It’s been a long road. In the early 2000s we went a year and a half without winning a game,” Joss said.

“We know what it is like to be down.

“When Luke Carroll came to the club four years ago that was the start of it all I guess.”

Albury co-captain Matt Fowler was the only surviving member of the Tigers’ hat-trick of premierships in the 1990s.

His fourth flag medallion yesterday equalled the same number as George Bunton in 1928, 1937, 1939 and 1940.

Bunton is the brother of triple Brownlow medallist Hayden and O and M Hall of Fame legend Cleaver.

The Tigers’ appearance in a grand final translated into record gate takings of $71,500 and an official crowd of 8398.

Yarrawonga won the A and B grade netball premierships and Wangaratta claimed the C grade flag, while in the under-18 football grand final, Lavington won its first flag since 1993.

More reports – pages 6, 7 and Sport