That’s why he’s keen to share the load when it comes to the Pigeons kicking a winning score each week.

O’Connor was the star with nine goals in Yarrawonga’s last-start win over Corowa-Rutherglen but he teamed well with young big man Damon Symes, who bagged five majors.

Throw in experienced campaigners Craig Ednie and Drew Barnes, along with promising youngsters Jess Koopman and Brayden Coburn, and O’Connor thinks the Pigeons have a recipe for success.

“(Fevola and Pettifer) are going to be very hard to replace, but we’re trying,” he said.

“(Symes) has just got to run and jump at the ball, he’s six foot four, if he can jump at it, he’s going to be hard to stop.

“(Marcus McMillan) can go forward … Tyler Bonat’s been playing centre half-forward, that’s a new role for him. There’s four or five blokes who can swing through there.”

O’Connor and McMillan have returned to Yarrawonga after a premiership-winning year with Strathmerton.

Coburn followed the pair from the Picola league and will be keen to continue his strong start to the season as the Pigeons celebrate their 2006 premiership victory against Myrtleford when they host the Saints on Saturday.