But the 83-point mauling hasn’t diminished the Panther coach’s belief that Lavington’s best football can challenge any team in the competition – including the Tigers.

Josh Mellington and Setanta O’hAilpin combined for 15 goals as Albury put on an Ovens and Murray masterclass – two days after Saker said the Tigers had areas Lavington could exploit.

Lavington’s hopes of reversing the round one result have taken a hit with Brant Dickson unlikely to play again this year due to a serious ankle injury and Matt Pendergast (hamstring) and John Hunt (work) dropping out of the side that beat Wangaratta Rovers.

Despite the loss of key personnel, Saker is confident the Panthers can give a good account of themselves at Albury on Saturday.

“They’re obviously the premier club in country Victoria and probably Australia so challenges don’t come much bigger than that,” he said.

“This team is very good but no one’s unbeatable are they? We’ll roll our sleeves up and see how we go.

“When you come up against a top quality side, what you believe as a coach, is the occasion is going to mean the players get themselves prepared really well mentally for the battle and hopefully that ensures you stay consistent with your output.

“If we do that, we can play a really good brand of footy that can challenge any side.”

Albury ace Daniel Cross will miss the match with running commitments at Melbourne while O’hAilpin remains sidelined with a knee injury. The Man From Snowy River champion stockman John Mitchell will play his first senior match of the season for the Tigers.