Prior, who tore the Hampden league apart in the Ovens and Murray’s 125-point win, was almost overlooked in favour of Corowa-Rutherglen’s Jamie Seymour.

Prior, who has won the league goalkicking award three times, is undoubtedly one of the league’s premier forwards.

But with an abundance of star goalkickers in the league, Prior almost didn’t get a game.

“We had him in, then out, then in again,” Fevola confessed.

“It was a bit iffy.

“We weren’t sure whether we were going to be too tall or not with myself and Dean Limbach down there but it worked out really well.”

Prior, who started the match on the bench, was more than aware that he almost missed out on a spot in the side.

“Limbach and Fev are obviously gun forwards and I may not be real good below my knees, so it was always going to be touch and go whether I’d play,” he said.

“I started on the bench and just wanted to play my part.

“I was lucky enough to get among it and Fev and Limbach played their roles beautifully.”

Prior, who crossed to Lavington from North Albury over the summer, has worked into form over the past fortnight, following a below-par showing against Albury in round 5.

The former WAFL star said he had wanted to perform when it counted.

“I just want to play consistent footy,” Prior said.

“I probably went into my shell a bit against Albury and they and Yarra are the teams you want to play well against.”