But the same can’t be said for his judgement in charge of Brocklesby-Burrumbuttock’s reserves in the Hume league this season.

With his Panthers teammate and former New Zealand Test cricketer Daryl Tuffey joining Holbrook mid-season, O’Connor attempted to ruffle his feathers when their teams clashed in round nine.

“We were ringing each other during the week and talking a bit of you know what and I said I’d go straight to him at the start of the game,” O’Connor said.

“It was only ‘Tuffs’ second game of footy.

“After some pushing and shoving and cheeky punches to the ribs I quickly realised he was way too strong for me so I ran away.

“He’s a big dog and was going to rag doll me.”

O’Connor admitted Tuffey well and truly had his measure in their first confrontation.

“He was referring to himself as the ‘Demolition Ball’ that day as he was busting through pack after pack,” O’Connor said.

“No one could tackle him and he knew it.

“He probably set up three or four goals.”

The light-hearted clash has been just one of many this season with a remarkable 21 Lavington Panthers cricketers lining up in the league.

Holbrook leads the way with nine – Sam Harris, Matt Sharp, Andrew Mackinlay, Tuffey, Will Heriot, David Tassell, Jayden Beaumont, Ben Talarico and Jack Favell – while Josh Jones is a former Panther in Cricket Albury-Wodonga ranks.

O’Connor, Matt Heagney, Joel Felmingham and Braden Eddy play for Brock-Burrum while Brett and Kai Davies, Nathan Brown and Jarryd Weeding are at Rand-Walbundrie-Walla.

Michael and Chris Galvin, Harry Weaven and Tom Vanderhorst are Jindera players.

The cricket-football link at Lavington doesn’t end there with opening batsman Matt Tom umpiring in the Ovens and Murray and assistant-coach David Coulston a regular official in district leagues matches.

Ryan Brown (Bullioh), Jayden Wright and Sam Strelec (Federal) and Ben Kunkel and Brad Dalbosco (Barnawartha) are also playing country football.

O’Connor said former Panther cricket coach and part-time Holbrook runner Robbie Mackinlay had been instrumental in many cricketers playing football.

“The good thing is that come cricket pre-season no fitness work needs to be done,” he said.

“We just get straight into the skill work.

“I think that’s why Robbie has ran such a tight ship.”