Sharp went down in the third quarter of the 16.11 (107) to 10.3 (63) victory at Mernda in a huge blow to the Saints’ prospects as they chase their first finals berth since 2006.

Myrtleford co-coach Brad Murray said Sharp would undergo scans but the Saints were resigned to the worst-case scenario of the key position player needing a knee reconstruction.

“It doesn’t look good,” he said.

“We will let the dust settle but the doctor at the ground thought he had done his ACL … hopefully the doctor has got it wrong.

“It’s disappointing for us as a footy club but it’s more disappointing for him because he’s a terrific young kid.

“He puts so much into his footy and for something like this to happen is pretty hard to take.

“He’s been playing really good footy for us.

“Footy can be a cruel game sometimes.”

Sharp and his brother Ryley have held down key positions for the Saints and were among Victoria Country’s best players at centre half-back and centre half-forward on Sunday.

North Albury’s Dom Brew put a car accident behind him to be voted Victoria Country’s best player by the VAFA while Hopper teammate Shaun Mannagh was dangerous and drew praise for his pressure in attack.

Corowa-Rutherglen’s Jay O’Donoghue was also lively on a wing with Victoria Country coach Damian Sexton paying tribute to the Ovens and Murray contingent after the match.

“It was a fantastic win, the boys were terrific,” he said.

“All the boys from the Ovens and Murray acquitted themselves really well.

“When the game was there to be won they took control and made the most of their opportunities.

“It was a tough game and the scoreboard probably doesn’t show how tough it was.

“Thankfully the boys stuck to the task really well.”

In the senior match, Albury ace Brayden O’Hara kicked three first-quarter goals for Victoria Country against Victoria Metro as the boys from the bush secured a 39-point win.

O’Hara, who was included in the leadership group, was electric in the opening term as Victoria Country made the most of a strong breeze to keep the opposition scoreless and establish a 35-point lead.

Tiger teammate Elliott Powell and Myrtleford big man Matt Dussin also had their moments in the 12.17 (89) to 7.8 (50) victory, which was Peter Knights’ last match in charge after almost 20 years at the helm of senior and junior Victoria Country sides.

Benalla livewire Farran Priest, who spent time at Wangaratta, and former Wodonga Raiders big man Scott Meyer also played in the win.