Myrtleford's 1970 premiership players desperate for another flag

Denis Piazza is one of 16 surviving players expected to attend Saturday's reunion, which was postponed from last year due to COVID.

It's the only flag in the club's 71 years in the Ovens and Murray, toppling Wangaratta Rovers by 17 points.

The Alpine Saints have finished runner-up to Lavington (2001), Lavington again (2005 with the match-winner after the siren) and Yarrawonga (2006).

"Absolutely, we all think it's time we won another one," Piazza said.

"Last year would have been our year, but seeing as though Wangaratta's recruited (former Collingwood premiership player Ben) Reid, and how they beat us that night (by 66 points in round two), then Rovers best Wangaratta a few weeks ago, it makes for an interesting season."

Interestingly, if last year had gone ahead, the Saints would have been favourites after falling in the preliminary final and then picking up former AFL players Dawson Simpson and Taylor Hunt.

However, Wangaratta's signing of Reid, former AFL player Callum Moore and Northern Territory gun Abraham Ankers has pushed the Pies ahead in the pecking order, while Rovers and Albury look at least the equal of the Saints.

"It's a special feeling (to be among the club's only premiership players), but with (co-coach Jake Sharp) 'Sharpy', he's a great guy, we just hope they can bring some more success to the town," Piazza offered.

In a lovely touch, the Saints will involve the premiership players as much as possible, from listening to the pre-game chat and forming a guard of honour for the players to run through prior to hosting Wodonga Raiders.

The players will also wear a special jumper with the premiership players names prior to Saturday night's fully booked function.

"It's the premiership reunion, but it's also for everyone who's worn the jumper, I guess," modern day player Hugh Wales said.

Despite Piazza's comments and the general buzz around the town, which is the smallest of the league's 10 clubs with a population around 2700, Wales says they're not feeling the heat.

"No, I don't think we feel the pressure, we do know that we could be in with a sniff, if we play our best footy," Wales suggested.

"Until we play everyone once you can't really base the earlier games on anything, we didn't play last year so you need to see everyone after so long off."

The match is a monumental test for the youthful Raiders.

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However, a strong showing would be a major boost to their development.

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