Albury champion Chris Hyde has revealed he and the club's most respected coach - Paul Spargo - were far from close when he signed a decade ago.
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Hyde revealed the interesting side note when inducted into the O and M Team of the Past 25 Years on Saturday night.
"'Spargs' was coaching (Richmond affiliate) Coburg and we were playing a game at Frankston, I played OK, but we lost," Hyde said when quizzed off-stage about his now great mate.
"I might have been smiling and 'Spargs' walked past and noticed that I probably wasn't as disappointed as he was.
"He said something and I thought he was joking and I think I said something back, I never thought too much of it, but on Monday morning he's walked past me and said, 'can I see you in my office'?.
"He went through it and I completely understand from his point of view we'd just lost and he was disappointed.
"I hadn't kept my distance but I probably respected him, but it wasn't like we were as thick as thieves (close friends) when I came to Albury."
But Hyde says the premiership coach was a key factor in joining the Tigers.
"When Richmond players weren't sure if they were getting contracts and coaches knew they they were going to be moved on, he was one of the guys who was still trying to help people," Hyde said.
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