Myrtleford co-coach Tim Looby has handed a team-mate the ultimate compliment.

“Matt Dussin is the best defender in country Victoria and we want to keep him there,” he said.

“We could probably just turn him into the best ruckman in country Victoria.

“He’s a superstar, he’s as good as anyone I’ve played with.”

Given Looby is a long-time Vic Country rep star, it’s a fair wrap.

DARCY’S DASH

Myrtleford’s inability to field an under 18 team might have some sort of silver lining.

Seventeen-year-old Darcy Chellew, along with Dussin, has been the Saints most consistent over the first month.

“The pressure is a lot harder, so you’ve got to cope with that, but I’m really enjoying it,” he said.

The Year 12 student showed poise with the ball on a wing against Wangaratta Rovers.

He’ll face his toughest test against the undefeated Albury in round five.

EMERGING DEFENDER

Meanwhile, Lavington has also unveiled a talented teenager in Michael Oates.

The youngster is also still eligible for thirds.

Oates provided tremendous run out of defence in the thumping win over Corowa-Rutherglen.

At the other end of the age scale, 38-year-old John Hunt resembled a teen, swooping on a loose ball early on and nailing the goal, while playing a prominent role throughout.

He’s now in his 22^nd year of senior football, debuting years before a handful of team-mates were born.

FAST FORWARD

The game highlighted just how crucial players with that goal sense are.

After Lavington skipped to a 31-point lead at quarter-time, the Roos dominated a 15-minute period in the second, but could only manage a Beau Schilg major.

When the Panthers moved forward, the classy Adam Flagg bagged two in a minute.

Flagg was the first player signed by GWS, but he’s battled injuries in the O and M, missing the last half of last year.

However, he’s been named in the best the last fortnight.

HAVE A CHAT

The game also had a rarity – three 50-metre penalties in the one incident.

Lavington’s 100-gamer Tom Hargreave suffered the ignominy early in the final term.

Hargreave didn’t agree with the original free kick and said as much to the umpire, who nabbed him for backchat.

It handed youngster Jed Griffin just his second goal of the season and was the Roos only major of the final quarter.

Despite the misdemeanour, Hargreave again featured in the best.

ANZAC TRADITION

North Albury looks like it’s started a tradition after attending last year’s march in Albury’s Dean Street.

“It was really good to attend that as a club and we’ll definitely do the same,” co-coach Clint Gilson said.

“We got a lot out of it.”

North will look to break a 19-match losing streak against the Tigers tomorrow.

It’s the league’s fifth-longest losing run, behind Wangaratta Rovers 26-game winning streak against Wangaratta from 1989-2002.

The match at Bunton Park starts at 2.15pm, with the Wodonga derby from 3.15.