Peter (Parra) Montgomery

Albury Thunder has missed out on playing in the 2025 Group 9 Final series after being defeated by Gundagai Tigers at Anzac Park, Gundagai last Saturday.

The Thunder went down to the Tigers 32-22 after opening up a 10-0 lead after 24 minutes. The loss puts the Thunder four points off fifth position with two rounds left to play.

The Thunder Club will be ‘ruing’ a couple of victories which slipped through their fingers in winnable matches.

In round 1 v Tumut Blues, two shots at goal from right in front missed, and the result ended up

12 all.

In round 6 v South City Bulls, a last minute try snatched a 22-20 victory from the Thunder with the Bulls winger scoring an ‘inch’ in from the dead ball line and the corner line off a speculative

kick by Bulls coach Cleve McGhie.

In Round 8 V Temora Dragons, the teams played out a 22 all draw with Lachie Munro scoring a late minute try, and Jade Dureaux landing a sideline conversion to snatch a draw from the jaws

of defeat.

Perhaps the unluckiest loss of the season was the 23-22 defeat by Young in Round 11, with the Pickers half back Rob Roberts landing a field goal on full time, on the seventh tackle following a

narrow miss at shot by Paul Kariatiana which would have sealed the win in the set before.

Wins in those four matches would have seen the Thunder comfortably placed in the top echelon of teams in the competition, and backed up with the great depth in the Reserve Grade and

Under 18 grade, the Club could have ‘a contender’, instead of being ‘a what if’..

The team developed very well under coaches Etu Usuaile, Andrew Smith, and Eli Tipene, and the recruits and players in the Club performed up to expectations.

The introduction of several ‘rookies’ into senior grades from the Under 18 pool, will hold the Club in good stead for many seasons to come.

Noah Stead, Eric Tui, Joseph Hill, Jack Harris, Riley Ivanku all handed the higher grades comfortably, and Nate Broekman is a ‘star’ biding his time in the juniors.

The Club was unfortunate to lose several good players during the season, with props Faone Fakatava and Reece Clegg departing part-way through the season.

Both were key players in the team during the season. Faone left Albury for personal family reasons, and Reece moved on with his employment – and both left a ‘hole in the talent’ pool.

It is hoped both players can sign up again in 2026.

The Club got good value out of its ‘stable’ during the year. Really good value.

The Thunder had a good side, and gave ‘it’ their best shot all season. The ‘season’ end did not indicate just how good the team was.

Local fans get to see the Thunder compete for the last time at Greenfield Park in Albury next Sunday when the team takes on South City Bulls in the final home game of the season. The

round of matches will part of Group 9 Indigenous Round

All reactions:

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