Albury is slowly losing the core of its premiership teams, but one veteran has vowed to play on next year.
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Brayden O'Hara went into the season expecting it to be his last, but the 33-year-old has changed his mind.
"When you've been in the SANFL, which is semi-professional, for so long and you're trying to keep up with the AFL guys, plus you've got to work as well, it's taken a toll on my body, so during the pre-season I probably thought this would be my last year," he offered.
"I have had a lot of injuries, but I've decided I'll have one more year and have a good crack and that will do, I reckon."
The Tigers played 10 straight grand finals from 2009, winning seven, but have now lost Morris medallist Chris Hyde and club best and fairest Dean Polo (retirement), along with two-time Morris medallist Joel Mackie (Osborne).
O'Hara joined the Tigers in October, 2013, after snaring a hat-trick of flags with SANFL powerhouse Central District from 2008.
I've decided I'll have one more year and have a good crack and that will do.
- Brayden O'Hara
He's added four more premierships in the O and M, kicking 10 goals in the wins over Yarrawonga, Lavington (twice) and Wangaratta.
The lethal left-footer also claimed a premiership with Wagga Tigers in the inaugural AFL Riverina Championship last year when the O and M was cancelled without a game being played due to COVID.
"For a lot of the guys it's been disappointing to have a second year (disrupted by COVID), whereas after last year I'm not struggling as much as some guys about not playing finals," he suggested.
The O and M season will make a decision this week on whether it can play a four-week finals series.
O'Hara, who's suffered a series of soft-tissue injuries, played 10 of 13 games.
"The body's been really good this year, I did my calf but that was because we were on and off with training, it was only a little niggle, I missed that last game against Myrtleford," he explained.
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"I've been pretty sore for a while with my hips, but I've just learnt to manage myself."
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