The Tigers contested 10 straight between 2009-2018, winning seven.

Wangaratta Rovers' run of seven is next from 1974-80 (five wins-two losses), while Yarrawonga had six straight deciders against Albury from 2009 (two-four).

Albury owes much of its success to the recruiting blitz in late 2008.

The club picked up Richmond player Chris Hyde, former Corowa-Rutherglen youngster Shaun Daly, ex-North Albury midfielder Joel Mackie and one-time Myrtleford star Andy Carey.

Remarkably, the first three all played in Sunday's second semi-final, while Carey was a multiple premiership player.

Albury has copped plenty of flak over the years, with critics suggesting the support of major backer Joss Group provides it with an unfair advantage.

Opposition clubs will quickly tell you they are envious and would also love it.

But, really, the league owes Albury a debt of gratitude.

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If the Tigers didn't sign four stars, which led to three straight premierships, then Yarrawonga would never have signed Brendan Fevola as the only way to catch the juggernaut.

And Rovers wouldn't have picked up Barry Hall in 2012. Ditto Jason Akermanis at North Albury.

The introduction of the player points system in recent years has slowed the influx of former AFL stars, but the likes of ex-GWS and Carlton midfielder Mark Whiley and one-time NEAFL gun Simon Curtis (Lavington), to name a few, has all been designed about catching Albury.

Albury's grand final run might be over, but is it the end of the powerhouse status?

"We don't want to be an also-ran and we're a very proud club, we'll be giving it everything to get back up there next year," co-coach Tom McGrath said.

Albury had nine players over 30 against Myrtleford, and while McGrath said there were no official retirements, Chris Hyde indicated earlier this year he wouldn't play on.

The team's lack of pace is another issue, but the club stalwart also pointed to a lack of discipline.

"It's probably something that's been there, not just this year, it's been an issue for a long time, sometimes you go yeah, they play on the edge, they're good players and you've got to sometimes take the good with the bad, today (Sunday) it was probably the bad and not the good," McGrath said.

The Tigers had the lowest points allocation over the weekend, with 26 from a possible 38.

It means Albury can sign two players from the AFL.

"We got exploited week in, week out with tall forwards," McGrath said.

"We definitely need some key backs, we probably need a full forward."

We will find out if the Tigers have made a smooth transition with some of their older stars likely to retire, or if they do what the Australian cricket team did 12 years ago when a stack of stars left and nobody replaced them.