Outgoing Albury coach Shaun Daly has the best strike rate in the Ovens and Murray’s 125-year history.
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In a remarkable three-year stint at the helm, Daly stepped down from the top position after Sunday’s grand final victory with a 58-2 win-loss record.
Daly’s only two defeats were a 40-point loss to Wodonga in round two in 2017 and last year’s 21-point grand final loss to Wangaratta.
He handed over the reins to Peter German with a 96.67 per cent winning record.
“It’s been a team effort,” Daly said.
“I’ve been very lucky with the players I’ve had.
“A lot of things were set up when I got here.”
Not surprisingly considering Albury’s dominance over the past decade, Chris Hyde and Daniel Maher have the second and third best strike rates at 90.8 and 87.7 per cent.
The Tigers have played 203 matches since 2009, losing only 18 and drawing once.
They have played an extra season with 23 finals.
“It’s an amazing record,” Daly said.
“You don’t think about it until someone mentions it.
“A lot of hard work goes into it by so many people.
“There is no special formula, just hard work.”
Albury Team of the Century coach Paul Spargo (85.4 per cent) and Yarrawonga’s Chris Kennedy (78.7 per cent) rounded out the top-five.
Although Albury went through 20 matches without a blemish this season, Daly said it wasn’t a true reflection of the competition.
“It didn’t feel like we went through the season undefeated,” he said.
“‘Crossy’ said the same thing on the bus on the way home from Wangaratta on Sunday night.
“I’m not sure why.
“We weren’t a really dominant side and we had to grind out a lot of the wins through the season.
“It was the same on Sunday.
“It’s pretty special this one.
“It’s a young group and a lot of players hadn’t played in a grand final before.”
Daly is confident Albury will remain a force to be reckoned under German who has signed on for the next three seasons.
“I’ve heard a lot of the players have signed on and most are sticking around,” he said.
“It’s a good sign for ‘Germo’ (Peter German).
“It’s time for someone fresh to come in with new ideas.
“I know he’s about developing young players.”
Wangaratta Rovers legend Neville Hogan is the most notable absentee from the most successful coaching list.
He coached the Hawks to four flags in seven years with 104 wins, 43 losses and two wins at 70.57 per cent.
But his statistics were lowered to 55.05 per cent after spending six more seasons at Myrtleford and Wangaratta.
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