Lavington milestone man Matt Pendergast has vowed to step aside if his form doesn't warrant selection.
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The Panthers' favourite son will play his 300th game away to North Albury on Saturday.
It's a tremendous achievement given his career looked over after a horror broken leg against North in May, 2018.
When The Border Mail caught up with Pendergast in January, he hinted for the first time that he was uncertain of a return.
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However, he worked overtime and played his first game back, in reserve grade, against Corowa-Rutherglen on May 25.
Work commitments as a firefighter based in Wangaratta forced him off the field for another five weeks before he played his second reserves game in late June.
Since then, the soon-to-be 37-year-old has played the last three games at senior level.
He kicked five goals to feature in the best in a 103-point demolition of Yarrawonga in round 14, but struggled against flag favourties Wangaratta.
"Probably playing 'Wang' on the weekend was a real leveller for myself to see. I'm probably off the pace physically, so I've just got to try and get fit if the body allows it," he said.
"The next couple of weeks will tell a story, if I'm not up to it, I'll put my hand up and say someone else will have a go."
Given Lavington is closing in on the minor premiership, and is therefore one finals win away from a grand final, Pendergast was quizzed further on whether he would walk away from a potential second premiership.
If I'm not up to it, I'll put my hand up and say someone else will have a go.
- Matt Pendergast
"Yeah for sure, the game on the weekend made me realise that it's still quick and you can't play at that level doing minimum work," he said.
"I'm hopeful, but we'll get this weekend out of the way and see how I go."
Lavington faces only one finals team in the last three rounds in Myrtleford on August 17, so that game is shaping as the litmus test.
The Panthers meet Corowa-Rutherglen in the final round.