Albury's chances of making the Group 9 finals appeared bleak following a 28-16 loss to the Gundagai Tigers in Round 10 but player-coach Justin Carney is helping change that.
A month later, a Thunder side led by the former Canberra Raiders and Sydney Roosters outside back has won back-to-back games on either side of their bye, defeating competition heavyweights.
In Round 11 Albury was too good for the Southcity Bulls winning 24-20 at Greenfield Park.
In Round 13 they staged the comeback of the season by defeating the Wagga Kangaroos 28-24 at McDonald’s Park.
Trailing 24-4 at halftime, it was the ‘Isaac Carpenter show’ as the second rower crossed for a stagger four tries as the Thunder kept their season alive with a win over the third-placed ‘Roos.
In his second year coaching Albury, Carney (above, Photo: Cat Butler Photography) was proud to see his undermanned outfit topple the strong Wagga Kangaroos on their home deck.
“We would have had six blokes out last week and all our bench played a full game of reserve grade,” Carney said.
“Still, the effort was certainly there and the belief was there to come back from 24 points down and still win.”
After a stop-start beginning to their campaign, Albury is building some momentum as they prepare for the final five rounds of the regular season.
It’s timely as the Thunder is in sixth position and just one competition point outside the all-important Group 9 top-five.
“It goes to show you that it takes time, and this is my second year here, and the club morale is a lot better now because there’s that belief,” Carney said.
“Just watch a team like Wests Tigers (NRL) - they can come out and blow a team away, and next week, they are struggling, and that comes down to gelling and time.
“There’s certainly a big difference between a good performance and bad performance for us, and it’s been hard to get that winning culture because we’ve been unsuccessful for a while. But we’ve got that core group and some belief, and that winning culture is starting to come.”
While a confident Albury squad has their tail up, they are readying for two massive games that could determine whether they play finals.
On Saturday, they host the second-placed Temora Dragons in their Round 14 match at Greenfield Park.
Following a big game against Temora, in the most challenging road trip of the competition, Carney and the Thunder are off to Young when playing the top-of-the-table Cherrypickers at Alfred Oval in what is set to be a mouth-watering Round 15 match-up.
In a big Round 14 of the competition, all eyes might be on Albury and Temora on Saturday, but the stage is set for two big days of Rugby League.
Also playing on Saturday, Wagga Brothers and Junee Diesels will be looking to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon with a win at Laurie Daley Oval.
On Sunday, Gundagai Tigers will be out to return to winning ways when hosting the in-form Young Cherrypickers at Anzac Park.
In the second game on Sunday, Southcity can keep its spot in the top five by beating the struggling Tumut Blues at Harris Park.
Click here Group 9 ladder, draw and results.
