Sport

Roos tame Tigers in one point thriller

By Corowa Free Press

Apr 15, 2026

Paddy Lavis takes a flying mark in the final quarter for the seniors.

By Ben Black

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Corowa-Rutherglen has clawed their way to a thrilling one-point victory over Albury Tigers in a fiercely contested Round 2 clash on Saturday.

The Roos came out with intent, clearly fired up by midweek comments from Albury, and wasted no time setting the tone.

Co-captain Will Chandler opened the scoring six minutes into the game, before full forward Kealan Bradtke added two late majors in the first quarter to put the Tigers on the back foot early.

Final Scores

Corowa Rutherglen 11.9 75 def Albury 11.8 74

Goals: Corowa Rutherglen: K. Bradtke 4, T. Mccaffrey 2, W. Chandler 2, D. Purcell 2, E. Amery 1.

Albury: M. Walker 3, J. Pitt 2, T. Rake 2, B. Paton 1, A. Miles 1, J. Lipscombe 1, J. Page 1

Best: Corowa Rutherglen: A. Curry, W. Chandler, T. Forrest, C. Schutt, K. Bradtke, T. Mccaffrey.

Albury: J. Cousins, B. Paton, R. Garthwaite, T. Rake, E. Powell, M. Scott.

Roos forward Kaelan Bradtke was again busy around the goals on Saturday.

Senior Roo Cody Schutt desperately gets to this ball.

Despite being labelled externally as a “B-Grade” midfield, the Roos took it right up to Albury in what quickly became a hard-fought arm wrestle.

Tom Forrest, Cody Schutt and Thomas Longmire were instrumental early in defence, containing Albury’s forwards. However, momentum swung heavily in the second term as the Tigers surged, piling on six goals to one to take firm control and leave the Roos chasing.

Needing a response after halftime, Eijiah Amery provided exactly that, kicking a goal within the opening minute of the third quarter to spark Corowa-Rutherglen.

The game ebbed and flowed, but when Albury extended the margin to 28 points, the Roos were forced to dig deep to stay in the contest.

Deaken Clancy has eyes only for the ball in the ruck.

Coach Daryn Creswell praised his side’s resilience post-game.

“Our attack on the footy and the opposition was the best I’ve seen it at this club,”

Bradtke stood tall once again, finishing with four goals after two crucial late majors that brought the Roos right back into the contest heading into the final change.

The last quarter belonged to Corowa-Rutherglen’s leaders. Angus Curry stood up in big moments, while Degan Purcell showed composure to reduce the margin and apply scoreboard pressure. The son of Jerilderie great Aaron Purcell continues to elevate his game to another level.

Will Chandler boots the ball on the run.

Tom McCaffrey then delivered a crucial moment, pouncing on an opportunity before Liam McCarthy produced a brilliant run-and-carry play to set up Chandler for his second, and arguably most important goal of the day.

McCaffrey wasn’t finished there.

The experienced new Roo recruit slotted what proved to be the sealer, putting Corowa two points in front.

High flying Josh Eder goes up for the mark in the reserves.

The final ten minutes were played at a frantic intensity, with both sides showing immense grit and determination, but the Roos held on in a gripping finish.

“Everyone played a part, it wasn’t just one player, and that’s what’s most important,” Creswell added.

Corowa-Rutherglen now turn their attention to reigning premiers Wangaratta Rovers. If this performance is anything to go by, the Roos will head into the clash full of belief that anything is possible.

Reserves Ethan Kane with ball as Taj Smith and Deky Yates looking on.

Development Squad

Albury teach Corowa a lesson

Corowa Rutherglen 0.3 3 def by Albury 27.107 179

Best: Yates, Eder, Massey, Pagan-Saunders, Sampson, Eyers.

The Roos took on the Albury Tigers who were hard from the set outset pouncing on anything from the Roos. Once again Deklan Yates the captain was important as always whilst having assistance from hard ball winners Angus Massey and Josh Eder.

Angus Massey with ball, looking on Tommy Alison and Deky Yates.

The boys had moments in the game where they looked good just could not capitalise on it on the scoreboard.

Thanks to the Albury boys that came over to help out and gave us good assistance with ball in hand. All in all Albury were too strong in the end teaching Corowa where the benchmark is.

Thirds

Albury Too Strong for young Roos

Corowa Rutherglen 1.4 10 def by Albury 19.17 131

Goal: Parsons 1.

Best: Lowah, Coppolino, Osullivan, Berriman.

Corowa U18s had to take on the Albury Tigers in a tough game, the Tigers were very strong on transitioning the ball and finding the scoreboard, putting them on the backfoot early.

The Roos were able to slot through a handy goal through Ryan Parsons in the second term on a poor judgment from Albury.

New recruit from Darwin Kai Lowah was able to show his silky skills and good passages of play whilst Archer Coppolino was ever consistent as captain.

Although the boys were outclassed by the tigers, credit should be shown for not dropping their hand and letting the scoreboard wildly out of control.