Interestingly, the former Kiwi Test quick hasn’t used the short ball in his debut season.

“I was never an express bowler, I never got to 140kms, I hovered in the 130s,” he said,

“I bowled a few when I was younger, but it does take a bit of energy out of me.

“I’m trying to bowl longer spells and go deeper into games.

“At 39, I’ve got to put in a lot more effort to get the ball rising up short, I’ve just really put that away and just bowl line and length.

“I’ve got Ryan Brown down the other end and he’s terrorising all the batsmen bowling bouncers.

“I’m doing a lot more of the donkey work into the wind and I just love seeing him grow as a bowler.”

Brown debuted in 2008-09, but he’s become the strike quick in the past four years, taking 34 wickets in his last two full seasons.

He’s unlikely to reach that figure again, but still has 26 scalps at 18.7.

Brown torpedoed Tallangatta’s hopes last week with a blistering early spell, taking four quick wickets.

The Panthers’ pace quartet – Brown, Tuffey, Nathan Brown and Brett Davies – have taken 95 wickets at 15 apiece.

Tuffey has 22 at 14 and says the season has exceeded expectations, from an enjoyment viewpoint.

“Yeah, it definitely has, probably looking in August-September, I probably didn’t think I’d be playing as many games (15), it wasn’t really on the cards, but the body’s held up well and I’ve enjoyed it,” he said.

“Obviously the winning culture definitely helps.”

He maintains the extra fitness work has been behind his solid form.

“I think I’ve got to do more training now than when I was actually playing (professionally) when I was 25,” he laughed.

Tuffey is yet to make a decision on whether he will play again next season.

The teams have met three times, with Lavington holding a two-one advantage.

But North has won its last five two-day matches.

“They’ve been playing finals cricket for about two months, they’ve had some must-win games,” Tuffey said.

The Panthers are chasing their first title since 2012-13.