The former New Zealand Test paceman announced prior to the three-game grand final series against North Albury it would be his last summer as a player, but the 40-year-old is delighted to remain as a coach.

Tuffey led Cricket Albury-Wodonga to O'Farrell Cup success as coach this summer, defending numerous challenges from the likes of Holbrook, Wagga, Temora and Yass to hold the prestigious trophy over winter.

"I've got some really good talent to work with," Tuffey said.

"We had a great season, obviously not the ideal finish to it, but there's a hell of a lot more positives than negatives that's for sure.

"I've coached up in Sydney with a couple of grade teams, so it's pretty familiar to me.

"It's been good coaching the rep teams and getting to know a few opposition players around the traps a lot better.

"I'm looking forward to continuing that kind of work next summer.

"I want to bring more of a first class cricket mentality to our training, but try to adapt it to grade cricket."

Tuffey was quick to rule out a potential return to the field next season.

"I'm not playing at all, that grand final was my last game," he said.

"I basically left my gear in the rubbish bin (laughs)."

Tuffey paid tribute to the work of predecessors Sam O'Connor and Robbie Mackinlay for getting the club to such a strong position.

"It got put on him (O'Connor) at the start of the season and he grabbed it with both hands," Tuffey said.

Club president Sam Strelec is really pleased with the appointment.

"Sam (O'Connor) was only ever going to do one year and Daryl wants to keep building on what we have put in place," he said.

Lavington fell short of back-to-back provincial flags, losing the deciding clash of the three-game grand final series.