A photo appeared earlier this week on the league's Facebook page from the account of former Wangaratta player Mitch Jensen with the comment: "Same rules apply for Rovers?".

The Border Mail attempted to contact Jensen this week.

The Wangaratta clubs boast the league's longest and fiercest rivalry, but the Hawks say the fact club officials have spoken indicates there's no bad blood.

"No, the rivalry is based on on-field performances," Pasquali said.

"I don't think this off-field issue should be used to create or generate any sort of additional on-field rivalry."

The picture was taken outside the fence at Rovers' home ground WJ Findlay Oval on Monday night and shows more than two footballers training, seemingly in defiance of COVID-19 restrictions.

The club vehemently denied it was a club sanctioned training session and also uncovered a family of five was exercising at the ground.

The O and M has sought a "please explain" from Rovers.

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"There were a couple of thirds (under 18) players that got together and then a couple of netballers and they were all exercising at their own volition," Pasquali said.

Pasquali said those players won't be spoken to, adding the Hawks' proud reputation is intact.

"We don't think the club is implicated in any way, shape or form as far as any wrongdoing ... as far as we're concerned it's dead and buried."