The Ovens and Murray Football Netball league is mourning the loss of Hall of Famer Neil Davis, who passed away on Saturday night.
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"He was a fantastic team person, it was never about Neil Davis, it was always about other people," O and M stalwart Rod Mullavey said.
"He made you feel really quite special, he always made you feel valued."
Selectors Mullavey and Davis combined with O and M coach Bob Craig during the league's golden era in the 1990s with that trio winning three straight Victorian Country titles.
"We're all the better for having him in our lives," an emotional Craig said.
"You always felt safe around him because he supported you and always had your back."
Davis was an outstanding footballer at Yarrawonga through the 1970s, kicking a then club-record 10 goals against Wangaratta.
But he also coached Yarrawonga, taking the club to a drought-breaking flag in 1989.
"He had an ability to galvanize and make everyone feel important, whether you were a seasoned player or a young player starting off," star player Damian Sexton said.
Sexton has just finished a three-year stint as Yarrawonga coach, admitting he felt indebted to Davis.
"Chris Kennedy (Pigeons' premiership coach) and I say if Neil Davis told us something about coaching, we always listened," Sexton said.
Davis and wife Raelene had daughters Rebecca, Sarah, Kristy and Laura, who were all A grade netball premiership players at Yarrawonga.
"Seeing the pride of Neil and Raelene watching their daughters on the hill at Lavington (Sportsground) in late September (in grand finals) reminds us all why football-netball clubs form such an integral part of our community. A Pigeons' legend, Neil will be sadly missed but fondly remembered," the club said in a statement.
The O and M was also quick to praise Davis.
"Neil Davis was O&M royalty. He was a kind, caring, humble man and a true gentleman and we extend our sympathies to his family and the Yarrawonga Football & Netball Club," chairman David Sinclair said in a statement.
Even Yarrawonga's greatest rival in the 1970s had nothing but praise for him.
"I can't speak highly enough of Neil, he was a fierce competitor but always caught up after the game, no matter what happened," Wangaratta Rovers' O and M Hall of Famer Andrew Scott said.
Away from the sporting arena, Davis was also a wonderful community person, organising the 7000-strong rally to save the ADI Mulwala business, where he worked for many years.
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"He would always ask about your wife and kids and was always interested in how things were going," Mullavey said.
"When you were a friend of Neil Davis, you were a friend of his for life."
The funeral will be held at St Cuthberts Anglican Church, Yarrawonga.