A trio of Albury’s unfashionable players took another step in their rapid development during a fiesty top of the table win against Wodonga Raiders on Saturday.
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Diminutive livewire Jake Gaynor was named the Tigers’ best, opposed in the second half to superstar Brodie Filo, who was named the home team’s top performer.
The former Wagga Tiger received strong support from Rhys King and ex-basketballer Jessy Wilson, who kicked crucial goals in the third quarter to set up the 9.12 (66) to 6.8 (44) win in wet conditions.
“Conditions suited him (Gaynor), the little ferret, he’s having a really good year,” co-coach Shaun Daly joked.
“He’s got a bright future, he’d be leading our pressure acts for the year, so I can’t speak highly enough of Jake.”
The Tigers’ largely unheralded teenagers opened a match-winning lead in the gripping third term.
Leading by only a point, King soccered a ball off the ground, a la World Cup style, from 25m, before the laconic looking Wilson landed one off his left foot just three minutes later.
Wilson then played a crucial role in Dean Polo’s match-sealer.
“Little things in the game really cost us,” Raiders’ mentor Daryn Cresswell said.
“I thought our endeavour was fantastic, but I think we just lost concentration in critical stages.”
Albury set the scene for some of the aggression when tagger Will Blomeley revived memories of his disciplined lock-down role of Yarrawonga star Mark Whiley last year by niggling Matt Neagle.
The spite never got out of control, but it was a constant in the first half.
Raiders’ Connor Newnham and Lachie Flagg kicked goals in the first 12 minutes and when rain started falling shortly after, it looked a handy lead.
But Albury’s Elliott Powell showed his class when he picked up the ball one hand, swerved away from Will Donaghey and landed a 50m bomb.
And with 10 seconds left, Jordan Rouse was caught in possession just 10m from goal and Brady Morton converted.
Both teams kicked two goals in the second, Raiders’ Jydon Neagle with the best, roving the pack and snapping from 30m.
The visitors led by two points at the main break, with that four goal to one surge maintaining the unbeaten run.
Filo finished with 31 disposals, while veteran Mark Doolan was also strong.
