Glory Days

The Albury Tigers under new coach Paul Spargo had made it to a preliminary final in 1994 they hadn’t tasted premiership success since 1985 – they launched a bold recruiting plan and landed some real quality to what was already a talented list – they played hard on and off the field and when it counted, they stood up under enormous pressure when challenged.

Albury Thunder were coming off its first ever Group Nine senior premiership and wanted more in 2013 – Josh Cale was coaching again and the hunger burnt strong to go Back to Back – they trained hard and gained the competitive edge that would take them to new heights as Thunder struck again in Group Nine rugby league.

Lockhart had last won a premiership in 1982 – the year was 2003 a new coach was found a rookie coach named Mick Glanvill – he and his recruiting committee dragged back former players and locals as Lockhart became a genuine force – they did it the hard way from elimination final to premiership glory by a spirit that swept every finals opponent aside.

Wooden spooners in 1984 with just two wins the Albury Tigers had hit the wall – coaching legend Tom Doolan stepped down as the search began for his replacement - it ended with a young man from Ganmain Russell Campbell appointed for 1985 – he rejuvenated and inspired the club to one of its greatest ever premiership victories as the Tigers roared back into contention in one of the all time great OMFL grand finals.

The All Blacks were into their 4th season in the  Tungamah FL and yet to play finals – they stepped it up with clever recruiting & found a strong bond amongst the senior playing group – both sides made it into the grand final as history awaited them – grand final day had it all in both grades – drama, tension, brutality and courage – I hope you enjoy “Written in Stone – Backs to the Wall”.

The year was 1947 and the world was recovering from the horror of WW2 – community sport was making a return and the Albury Tigers were starting to regain momentum it had pre war after a close loss in the 1946 decider – they recruited a VFL/VFA legend Tommy “The Turk” Lahiff as coach and they got busy at getting better as they launched an assault on the 1947 OMFL premiership.

The All Blacks went into the 1976 season still reeling from a straight sets finals exit from the 1975 season after going through the home and away season unbeaten with a 12 goal average winning margin – they made change found a new coach kept the old coach and put together a stunning season of dominance to win its 10th premiership.

The All Blacks 1971 season was all about squaring the ledger on old rivals Glenrowan after having suffered grand final defeats to the Tigers in the two previous seasons – they had a new coach and a new desire they were an unbeatable force throughout the home and away season – they just had to do it on the finals stage to lift a 9th premiership.

The final episode of the 100 years of ACT Cricket covers  the period from 2005 to 2022. The Manuka Oval lights are switched on, men’s and women’s Test cricket and World Cup cricket came to town, along with BBL finals, Sheffield Shield final and the ACT Meteors were launched. A triple ton in club cricket plus a snapshot on the stars of the era Nathan Lyon, Jason Behrendorff, Erin Osborne and the team of the century men and women’s is announced as Cricket ACT raises the bat to a marvellous century of work.

This episode of Tiger Tales takes a look at the 1956  premiership when three time Essendon premiership player Jack Jones led Albury to premiership glory over old rivals North Albury.

Jack Jones was not only a legend of the Essendon Football Club but he also became a Tiger legend being named as captain of the Albury Team of the Century – such was his standing at Tigerland.

Before Jones started his VFL career with Essendon in 1946 he served in New Guinea and Bougainville during WW2 for 22 months with the 24th Infantry Battalion.

All the behind the scenes stories and yarns are captured in the Tigers year of dominance.