ARound the grounds round 14
A resurgent Albury has been finding solutions in new places ahead of its showdown with North Albury at Bunton Park.
The third-placed Hoppers will be desperate to avenge their two-point loss to the Tigers in Round 5 when the local rivals lock horns for the second time in 2024 with just one win and one place on the ladder separating them.
However, with themselves eyeing a top-three spot and the double chance in September, this Albury side is now chasing a fifth straight win having lost five out of the previous seven games.
Co-coach Anthony Miles was asked following his side’s hugely impressive win over second-placed Wangaratta Rovers last weekend how close the Tigers were to having their full list available to pick from.
“Lachie Tiziani and Brayden O’Hara are on the way back and Brydan Hodgson will hopefully have a run in the twos. Jimmy Grills is coming back from the World Cup in a couple of weeks so we’re starting to get there.
“It’s been a blessing in disguise in a way, getting some time into those young guys who are just continuing to impress.
“Ty Quade probably would have only had 12-15 touches (against Rovers) but some of those deft touches, his ability to defend and get forward, he’s got a lot of pace and I was really impressed with his game.
“We know what ‘Kingy’ (Rhys King) brings so he’s a really important player to our side.
“Ben Kelly’s been playing back the last three weeks and getting Hamish Gilmore and Lucas Conlan back, I reckon he’s grown in confidence from his time back as well.
“He was clunking them and providing a target down the line as well.
“We put it on him to be involved in that forward pressure and I thought he was able to do that as well.”
The work-rate of Albury’s midfielders has increased in direct correlation with an upturn in results over the past month.
“I’d like to take credit for that but those guys are self-motivators and they just get to work,” Miles said.
“Fletcher Carroll, I reckon his last month has been outstanding. He’s a self-motivator, he works harder than anyone I’ve seen and that’s including the AFL system.
“Sam Murray’s clearly the best player in the competition with his ability, particularly forward of centre, but Jake Page did a phenomenal job on him.
“Elliott Powell was a little bit banged up but still had some really important moments as well.”
The diminutive figure of Jake Gaynor is also standing tall for the Tigers.
“He plays above his weight class, doesn’t he?” Miles laughed.
“He comes from a rugby union background, growing up in Wagga, and his tackling and pressure is first-class.
“He’s a real leader, one of our assistant coaches, and even some of his inside-50 kicks, I thought he probably set the tone for us against Rovers, particularly in his first half with his ability to lower the eyes and hit those forwards.
“Jake’s his composure as well as the toughness sets him apart for sure.”
