OSBORNE dispelled any doubts about its competitiveness in the AFL Riverina Championship with an upset 15-point victory over Wagga Tigers at Robertson Oval on Saturday.
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In front of a 400-strong crowd, the Ostriches handled the jump from the Hume league with ease to give coach Joel Mackie his first victory at the helm.
Even Mackie went into the match unsure how his side would match-up against the reigning Riverina league champion.
"I'm super proud," Mackie said.
"Two weeks ago we played Ganmain at home and absolutely got our pants pulled down.
"We were a bit undermanned admittedly but I was thinking how is this going to pan out.
"You just have to go with it and today we were up for it."
While Wagga Tigers were without a handful of big names including Albury's Jake Gaynor and former coach Shaun Campbell, Osborne also had plenty of firepower missing with Mackie, George Alexander, Jamie Parr and Jack Driscoll sidelined.
The Albury-based Mackie was unable to play due to coronavirus recommendations and didn't enter the playing arena to speak to his players.
He said Osborne would continue to follow league regulations and hope player restrictions were eased.
Wagga Tigers coach Troy Maiden conceded the league newcomer wanted it more than his side.
"They probably gave us a lesson in two way running, and looking at it probably meant more to them than it seemed to to us," Maiden said.
"Their pressure was right up."
Wagga Tigers midfielder Jim Grills escaped injury after being driven into the ground by a bone-jarring Will Ryan tackle in the second term.
