Albury Thunder

Albury Thunder
Club information
Full name Albury Thunder
Rugby League Football Club
Colours      Green
     Black
Founded 2004 (2011 as Thunder)
Current details
Ground(s)
  • Greenfield Park
Records
Premierships 3 (2012, 2013, 2014)

The Albury Thunder are a rugby league club based in Albury, New South Wales. The club was formed in 2004 as the Lavington Panthers, sponsored by the Lavington Panthers AFL club. after 2010 the club wanted a new identity so they changed their name to the Albury Thunder for the 2011 season. Success followed shortly after with the Thunder winning the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Group 9 Grand Finals.

Origins

Two distinct clubs competed in Group 13, the Albury Blues and the Albury Roos. They were joined for a brief period of time by the East Albury Magpies. Sadly, Group 13 collapsed in 1991, forcing the clubs to cease playing. This was followed by the short-lived Greater Southern Rams side.

Lavington Panthers

The club then became known as the Lavington Panthers after being resurrected from complete closure. This name change brought great success and in 2010 after moderate success, the Panthers changed their name to the Albury Thunder to try and get their own identity.

Thunder era

In 2011 the Albury Thunder were born. They continued playing out of Greenfield Park, Captain-Coached by Josh Cale.

Triple Premiership

2012

The Thunder won the Group 9 premiership in 2012, defeating South City 36-26 in Wagga Wagga. This was seen as a major achievement for rugby league in Albury, because Group 9 is one of the top regional leagues in NSW. On top of this they also won the Minor Premiership.

2013

The 2013 season saw the Thunder run away for their second consecutive Minor Premiership. They once again qualified for the Grand Final, defeating Gundagai Tigers 30-20.

2014

The Thunder clinched another Minor Premiership in 2014. Again qualifying for the Grand Final, this time The Thunder smashed the South City Bulls 45-4 and won their third straight title.

2015–present

In 2015 the Thunder finished sixth, missing finals.

In 2016, the Thunder finished fourth, but were bundled out of the finals.

In 2017, the Thunder again missed the finals.

In 2018, former Canberra Raiders, Penrith Panthers, Bradford Bulls and London Broncos centre Adrian Purtell returned home. Despite this, the Thunder still finished seventh, missing the finals.

See also

References

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