One of the great Ovens and Murray FL grand finals was played out in 1939 between Albury and Wodonga – remarkably both captain/coaches of the sides were brothers Doug (Albury) and Gordon (Wodonga) Strang – originally from Jindera and premiership players in the VFL with Richmond they were back in town and oh boy what a season it was with World War 2 looming #TigerTales #GloryDays

The Tigers had returned to its original colours and name after almost a decade of name changes due to religious divide in the city – they were ready to pounce on its first premiership since 1928 under the coaching of Essendon star and Brownlow medallist Stan Judkins for the 1937 season  – they also had the mid-season return of a goalkicking legend of the VFL the one and only Doug Strang who would become a house hold legend in the OMFL.

After going back to back premiers in 2013 Albury Thunder set themselves to achieve the unthinkable in 2014 - three in a row under the coaching of Josh Cale and the astute leadership of President Rick O’Connell - with time running out in the preliminary final the dream looked over ---- until something clicked and Thunder got on a roll that continued into the following week in a remarkable grand final performance that smashed records as the Triple Treat was achieved in Rugby Leagues greatest...

In between both World Wars the season of 1928 was to be one of the most tumultuous in the history of the OMFL with the bitter religious divide in Albury spilling onto the football fields and streets of Albury - amongst it all were some of the absolute greats of the Albury FC and the OMFL - the Bunton brothers Haydn arguably the greatest ever player in Australian Rules history and Cleaver who would go on to be a legend of Albury with his civic devotion and sporting administration - the year...

Henty had last tasted premiership success in 1937 - they had made it through to five grand finals since then but had come up short on each occasion - they were into its fifth year in the Hume FL and they had found a new coach in Wayne Styles are hardnosed and fearless leader who guided the Swampies to a season of excellence that was challenged right at the end - they dug deep and found a way to bring home the premiership cup and break a 47 year drought - enjoy Henty 1984 “The Drought Breaker”

The 1984 season was the third since amalgamation of Grong Grong-Matong and Ganmain in the Riverina Football League - from day one the GGGM Lions plan was a premiership in the third year - Ray “Rocky” O’Connor was also into his 3rd year as coach - the Lions had a 50% win/loss ratio in the first two years - couple of handy recruits a group of passionate and hungry players the Lions were ready to roar and roar they did in one of country footballs great grand final finishes - this is “The Merger...

This episode picks up the Albury Tigers season from round three as the players and club adjust to the traumatic experience in round one - it shows the strength of James McQuillan in his rehab, it shows the strength of a community and it shows the strength of a playing group to fight on for a teammate and friend as the season finishes in yet another epic Albury v Yarrawonga grand final.

Holbrook were into its sixth season since joining the Hume FL, they had made two grand finals with no ultimate prize, Albury triple premiership player Marc Duryea was back for his 4th year as coach - he wanted one thing and one thing only - a Holbrook premiership that had so far eluded him - they trained harder, they played harder and they got their prize - they paid the price.

2014 in the Ovens and Murray FL was one of the toughest to endure for the Albury Tigers - it finished with a they won a premiership but in round one they lost a young man James McQuillan in an accident that made James a quadriplegic - this episode is dedicated to james and his family capturing his amazing fightback to a fulfilling life with amazing support from community, family and his loyal friends at the Albury Football Club.

A football team from Pleasant Hills - yep we all knew it had a pub but a football team! ! Yes for fifty years the Hillites competed despite  two World Wars, a pandemic after WW1 called the Spanish Flu and the Great Depression between world wars - success was rare with just one premiership - they gave it everything until there was nothing left to give 1905 to 1955 - it’s a bloody good story - The Last Point Post

The year was 1997 and Albury after back to back premierships in 1995 and 96 had a new coach with Michael Buchanan taking over from Paul Spargo - Mikki as he was known was one of Spargo’s trusted foot soldiers - a hard nut on field and a loveable larakin off field Buchanan and his band of men stuck it up the doubters who gave the Tigers no chance after losing eight premiership players - they loved success and knew what it took to achieve success taking Albury to its first ever triple...

The Albury Tigers have won 22 premierships in the Ovens and Murray FL – it all started way back at the turn of the 20th century – this episode takes a historical look back at the first three premierships and just what it was like playing football at the time as Albury celebrated their 1902, 1908 and 1913 flags with names synonymous to the Albury club and league were emerging.

The year was 1959 and former Fitzroy legend Bill Stephen had the Pigeons primed for a tilt at its first ever OMFL premiership and to break a 32 year premiership drought – the biggest challenge was defending premier Wangaratta Rovers under Collingwood legend Bob Rose – they found away that thrilled a community and town in one of the all time grand finals.

On October 25th 2023 the sporting world and community of Walla Walla lost one of natures gentleman - Merv Wegener an absolute icon of the Hume Football netball league and the unofficial Mayor of Walla Walla - in November 2021 Merv was interviewed on 1494 2AY by Robbie Mackinlay - here is the interview as a tribute to Merv his family and his many admirers across the community.

Albury were on its knees after a loss in week one of finals their backs were to the wall ahead of its first semi-final showdown – they had injuries and suspensions and had be written off in the media – but they had a card up their sleeve and they were about to deal it they were also a resilient lot and came out to fight back – enjoy Part B of Tiger Tales 1996 – “Spargo’s Soldiers – Against All Odds”.

 The Tigers were on the hunt for back to back premierships in 1996,  gains outweighed the losses on the recruiting front – they had negotiated the home and away rounds with just two losses to finish second behind Lavington on percentage – a bizarre finals schedule, injuries, suspensions and a loss in week one of finals had the Tigers at the crossroads enjoy Part A of Tiger Tales 1996 – “Spargo’s Soldiers – Against All Odds”

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.