IN THE end, it was Adam Butler who recruited Lavington.
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While the Panthers’ heirarchy – led by Tim Sanson and Graham Hart – had made contact most summers following his delisting by Fremantle in 2001, it was Butler who got on the front foot on the eve of the 2005 season.
After three years in the VFL system with Carlton and Williamstown, the Tallangatta Valley product decided he’d had enough of living in Melbourne and wanted to return to the Border.
The former Murray Bushranger had been hotly pursued by Ovens and Murray rivals, including North Albury and Yarrawonga, but Lavington always had the inside running with his brother, Tom, playing at the Panthers.
“Lavi rang me the first couple of years I was in Melbourne, I loved the footy down there,” he said.
“I just preferred the country lifestyle.
“I had to ring Tom and say, ‘look, can you get one of them to call me, I’ve decided I’ve had enough of Melbourne’.”
It’s a move that paid instant dividends for the versatile defender as Lavington won a thrilling grand final against Myrtleford.
“I wouldn’t change it for anything, I’ve definitely had a good time,” he said.
“It’s a great club to play footy for and all the boys share the same sort of interests, which is good.”
When it comes to football, Lavington is the be-all and end-all for Butler.
He grew up a Melbourne supporter but no longer follows the AFL and only takes a passing interest in how fellow 1999 draftee Matthew Pavlich is performing at the Dockers.
With close mates John Hunt and Luke Garland at the Panthers, along with former junior representative teammates Kade Stevens and Matt Pendergast, Butler has no intentions of leaving Lavington any time soon.
In an age where players are increasingly changing clubs, it’s refreshing to hear Butler speak of his passion for the Panthers.
“The phone used to ring a bit but doesn’t any more ... they have realised I’m not worth it,” the under-stated big man says of overtures from district clubs.
“I have always planned to finish at Lavi, I’m not real big on changing clubs, so I plan to be there as long as I’m playing footy.”