The league’s greatest rivalry of the past decade is under threat with statistics showing Yarrawonga hasn’t beaten Albury in five years.
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The pair contested a record six straight grand finals, but since the Pigeons’ 2013 triumph, Albury has clocked up 10 wins, with an average margin of 45 points.
“Well, there you go, I knew it was a few years, but I didn’t think it was quite that long,” Yarrawonga forward Xavier Leslie said.
The Pigeons had the ideal chance to end the Tigers’ curse in round one when they raced to a 46-point lead during the second quarter.
“To have a game where you’re 46 points up is pretty disheartening really,” Leslie said.
“Everything was there for us to get the four points that day, but no matter what stage of the game, you can never think you’re on top of Albury.”
To have a game where you’re 46 points up is pretty disheartening.
- Xavier Leslie
Leslie admits the team couldn’t hold its nerve.
“Yeah probably, I think we did unfortunately, I think we were looking at the scoreboard too closely,” he said.
The self-confessed choke indicates the Tigers have got the Pigeons’ measure, although the winning margin in the last three games has been only 15 points.
Wangaratta’s stunning upset of Albury in the grand final means that rivalry could, potentially, take over as the league’s best.
There’s no doubt most would see next week’s Pies-Tigers clash as a closer contest than Saturday’s game at the Albury Sportsground and particularly with the visitors missing a host of stars, including Morris Medal runner-up Mark Whiley.
But Yarrawonga has the chance to prove that theory wrong and it received a major boost on Thursday night with the selection of former VFL defender Logan Morey.
“He’ll be fantastic for us off half-back, he uses it well and he’s a good one-on-one player,” Leslie said.
“He just adds a little bit more strength and depth to our side.”
If the Pigeons are to sneak into the top three, they probably need to upset the unbeaten Tigers.
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