Albury overcomes ripping Myrtleford first half for victory

The Tigers trailed the visitors by seven points at half-time before rattling on 10 goals to five in the 18.13 (121) to 15.3 (93) win.

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"I think it was just the spirit we showed, we were under the pump early, it looked like we were really flat, they came out to play and we didn't," Albury co-coach Tom McGrath said.

"We let them kick too many goals in that first half and to turn it around in that second half and show that fighting Tigers' spirit we keep talking about was really good."

The round was billed as a dead rubber as no team in the five could realistically move up or down, but the Saints refused to accept that, kicking four goals to three against the lively breeze in a frenetic first quarter.

"I was really impressed with how we played the first half," coach Jake Sharp said.

"We set outselves for a big contest and made sure we weren't in preservation mode."

The Saints' accuracy was telling in the first half, kicking 10.2 to the Tigers' 8.7.

However, the premiers soon asserted their authority.

"I think our pressure around the footy probably dropped off, we allowed their old heads probably a metre and a few seconds with the footy and against superstars like that, that's all they need to make crucial decisions with ball in hand," Sharp said.

Joel Mackie produced a typical bullocking performance, while Jim Grills kicked four goals, including one from around 50m in the final minutes.

Jessy Wilson's development as a defender is improving seemingly every quarter he plays, Elliott Powell had a cracking second half to finish with three majors, while Tom O'Brien showed his class with two goals.

"We had to have guys step up and perform and I thought our younger guys did that," McGrath said.

"There's a few guys to come back in, so spots are up for grabs and the pressure's on, guys that are in the mix (for senior selection) played really well."

Sharp had another tremendous game, while defender Matt Dussin starred.

Ryley Sharp and Tom Ellard kicked four goals apiece, while Lachie Dale landed two to claim his first Doug Strang medal with 51.

Albury faces Wangaratta in Saturday's qualifying final at Corowa's John Foord Oval, while Myrtleford meets Raiders in the elimination final at Albury Sportsground.