He finished with no fit players on the bench, but Albury coach Paul Musarra is pleased with how the side has progressed this season.
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Hopes of their first grand final appearance since 2015 faded as Ag College's set piece dominated in the second half at Exies Oval.
However Musarra was far from disappointed with the 32-14 loss on Saturday.
"We were in at half-time for sure, and didn't execute just before half-time which may have made a difference, but that is how it goes," Musarra said.
"They demolished our scrum, there were about five tightheads lost and one of our line outs and you can't win football by not controlling any of your set plays."
Albury bowed out in the first week of finals last season, but moved up two placings with their preliminary final exit.
Musarra believes the club is in a better place.
"We needed to be closer to full strength to match it with the top two sides but we have improved," he said.
Ag College coach Will Mitchell was thrilled with the turnaround.
"The boys really came out with the right attitude physically and we knew if we did that then we would be a good show," Mitchell said.
"Both sides had a massive defensive effort and it was one of those games for whoever held the ball for the longest.
"They were the walking wounded with 10 to go and it was just a matter of closing it out by putting the ball in the right spots but the boys had the maturity to do it.
"It just shows how far they have come with their maturity."
