Glory Days

Holbrook had blown a golden chance for premiership glory in 1983 losing a replay after the first GF was drawn - they were back in 1985 for one more crack - they had a new coach in Mick Maddox a new will to win and one of the finest ever sides to play in the Tallangatta FL after an early finals hiccup they powered their way to its first premiership in 15 yrs and became the first NSW team to win the TDFL premiership 

In Episode 10 the boys start to add the umpires into the H2H Reserves Team of the Century with a couple of locks ! The lads cast their eye over an interesting round 7 of football, Mason gives Albo a wake up call on behalf of the farmers and a young lad from Walbundrie stars in the VFL on the Albury Sportsground - enjoy ! 

Another big episode as the lads add another six names into the Highway to Hume Reserves Team of the Century taking the squad to 19, on World Bee Day the CEO of Robeez Honey is given a whack from Mason, while Bealey reveals a nasty spat between the Crows co captains and a look back on round 6 of Hume football

Chaos in and out of the studio but the lads get the Ep done - featuring Culcairn coach Brendan Way talking about Dane Swan appearance v Henty, six new players added to the H2H 25 Year Hume Reserves Team of Century squad, Mason umpiring comes under fire, Bealey the target in Mailbag - however the big news surrounds the end of season Team of Century Celebration --- going to be huge - enjoy Ep 8 

After a emotional premiership in 2014 the Albury Tigers despite losing ten senior players were ready to go back to back under co coaches Chris Hyde and Daniel Maher – after six straight grand finals against Yarrawonga the Lavington Panthers had emerged to challenge the top two – in a bruising season finale the Tigers etched themselves into OMFL greatness with a stirring grand final victory.

In this week's episode the boys name the first seven players into the squad for the H2H Hume Reserve Grade Team of the Century (last 25 yrs) as planning starts for a gala function to celebrate the final team announcement, Billabong Crows coaching legend Bec O'Connell jumps on for a chat while another big name cops the CollKaneo and a political party gets Tool of the Week while a cracking edition of the mailbag unfolds - enjoy ! 

A big episode 6 with Mason live from the Holden Centre stalking his beloved Collingwood train. Jindera coach Tayla Lloyd chats all things netball, another big name cops the CollKaneo and Tool(s) of the Week get announced while Bealey recalls his fathers rather checked goal umpiring career plus a look at results and round 4 of Hume.

A big Easter edition features big plans for the 25 Year Hume Reserves Team of the Century team to become a charity fundraiser for a local charity, the lads need the nominations to keep coming in. Mason reflects back on his time as a Bushpig while Bealey reflects back on "the Miracle" Crows win over Osborne a few yrs back - a cameo visit from a club coach and interleague coaching member - no Tool of the Week or CollKaneo and no Netball but plenty of banter ! 

Our man Bealey is back in the studio and with his injury update, Mason in all sorts after his return to Adrenaline gym. Tool of the Week awarded to a legend of the Hume FL the Hume reserves Team of the Century gaining momentum - in on field news the Hume coaching panel named for interleague v Tallangatta FL and the Crows hit top of the table in netball 

An injury to Bealey has left the team one man down for Ep 3 and also ruined his Azzi medal hopes as his much anticipated return ends in tears, a big name gets Tool of the Week along with a repeat offender, big news for seconds footballers - selection honours await as plans go into play for the Hume FL 25 Yr Seconds Team of this period  plus its a family affair at Billabong Crows netball all in Ep 3 

This week Bealey is under the pump from Mason copping a CollKano about his trip to Yackandandah, a Giants teammate wins Tool of the Week, the longest ever Mailbag question and the young superstar from Culcairn Iilysh is our Hot Property winner plus a look at round one in both football and netball - enjoy ! 

The Highway to Hume crew are back and in good form recapping the off season -  the good, the bad and the forgettable as Robbie, Bealey and Mason loosen things up while for a bit of sense Georgia has a peak at the netball. 

Yarrawonga had played in four straight OM netball A grade grand finals between 1999 and 2002 with just the one premiership in 2001, they then lost four straight preliminary finals between 2003 and 2006 – they broke the prelim final hoodoo in 2007 but were beaten in the 2007 grand final by North Albury – the following year they again lost to North Albury in the grand final – they had enough and were determined to make 2009 count under the guile of coach Tracey Gillies.

A fast finishing Albury missed finals in 2008 by the barest of margins, the momentum burst back into 2009 with some heavy recruiting of top end talent and the return of coaching legend Paul Spargo – the result was a year of footballing perfection culminating in the Tigers first premiership in 12 yrs, enjoy Tiger Tales 2009 – “Unbreakable, Unbeaten, Unbelievable”.

It was a long and frustrating 7 year battle for the Lavington Football Club to be finally accepted into the Ovens and Murray FL for the 1979 season -- year by year they built cracking finals in its third year and then a losing grand final in 1982 - Ken Roberts had the Blues primed and nothing was going to stand in their way - it was history in the making stuff at their doorstep - enjoy the very first episode of Lavington Legends 

Albury had never won back to back premierships across the first five decades of the OMFL – they were in a golden era of talent and had taken out the 1937 and 1939 premierships – 1940 loomed large but in its way was World War 2 raging across Europe and stretching the resources of clubs across community sport – Doug Strang was back in charge and the Tigers were racing against time and some stiff opposition.

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 achievement on the border city of Albury.

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 the Tigers broke the St Patricks premiership dominance - enjoy Tiger Tales 1928  “Times of War”

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 - Signed Sealed Delivered”.

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 premiership and into club folklore - enjoy Tiger Tales 1997 “The Incredible Treble”.

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.

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.  

This episode looks at the rise and fall of the Canberra Comets who after three years were dumped from the Mercantile Mutual Cup competition – interviews with coach Mike Veletta and players tells it all. A triple century in Women's cricket, T20 club cricket arrives, while again we look at the star players of the era and the club snapshot with Weston Creek Molonglo and Norths.

This episode takes a look at the return of the PM XI matches, some of the all time great players including Michael Bevan, Neil Bulger, Peter Solway, Glenda Hall, Greg Irvine along with men's and women's World Cup matches in Canberra and the ACT CA tour of New Zealand and the restructure of grade cricket.

Some big-name players had departed the Tigers ahead of the 1966 season  - a Morris Medallist and a Brownlow Medallist and a future Richmond premiership star - a fall down the ladder was feared – but not for a man called Weideman – the man was a winner and he set about doing just that – I hope you enjoy Tiger Tales – “A Man Called Weideman and his Foreign Legion”

It all happened in the sixties and seventies with the re organisation of club cricket, Women's Cricket was finding its feet and World Series Cricket hit Canberra, coaching and junior cricket were thriving  and the star players were a plenty - I hope you enjoy Episode 3 “Country Powerhouse to Regional Powerhouse” as we celebrate the 100th Year of Cricket in the ACT.

The guns had fallen silent on the battlefields as World War II finished – communities across Australia needed the return of sport and cricket was ready to return and despite obvious restrictions and hardship it quickly returned to a normal part of life in the nation's capital and this is how it happened - I hope you enjoy Episode 2 “Emerging From The War” as we celebrate the 100th Year of Cricket in the ACT.

The residents of Canberra sought to develop recreational activities after World War 1 had concluded – the first of these was cricket as seven clubs commenced The Federal Territory Cricket Association or as we know it today ACT Cricket Association so from foundation in the early twenties to the bright lights of Manuka Oval it has been an amazing journey, I hope you enjoy Episode 1 “The Early Days” as we celebrate the 100th Year of Cricket in the ACT.

Episode B of the Griffith Black and Whites 100 years anniversary looks back at the last four decades of the famous club through the eyes of past players and administrators where it has  overcome many challengers to still be a strong, vibrant and community inclusive club in Griffith and Group 20 rugby league.

It all started from humble beginnings the Griffith Rugby League club that transformed into the mighty Griffith Black and Whites Rugby League Club still going strong today in Group 20 – this episode looks at the first six decades of a wonderful 100 years of history through the eyes of the people who made it all happen on and off the field.

The last decade in the Farrer FL for Lockhart was a tough one with no finals appearances. They made the move to the Hume FL that rejuvenated a community and club – they found a spark under a new coach, new president and a new attitude – scraping into the finals they found form at the right time – they learnt how to win – enjoy Lockhart 1982 – "The Premiership Trail”