Weeding was confirmed as the premiers' coach after eight years at East Albury, including the last six as coach.

Former Kiwi international Daryl Tuffey retired from the game after the grand final win against North Albury.

The 28-year-old is a Lavington junior, playing some first grade at the club before a two-year stint at Albury.

"We've been trying to get Dylan back home for a few years and we've very happy that he's come back," new Lavington president Sam O'Connor explained.

Weeding guided the Crows to four finals campaigns, racking up 139 games and 2409 runs at 22.

"We're obviously very appreciative of the time and effort Dylan put in at East Albury and wish him all the best at Lavington," East president Andrew Wilkes offered.

Weeding admits it was time for a change.

"I think the group at East Albury probably needed something new," he admitted.

"By the end of last year I got the feeling I got everything I could out of them and and they've got a lot more to give.

"I believe with a new voice, some of those boys will go to the next level and after six years, the same message does get stale.

"It was a tough decision to make, I love the club, loved every moment of coaching there, it was just time for a change for their benefit, moreso than mine."

Weeding represented Riverina for three years as a wicketkeeper-batsman and even though he doesn't turn 30 until February, 2023, will step down from playing.

"I'm happily retired, I love my coaching, I prefer coaching to playing these days," he confirmed.

As well as coaching at club level, Weeding has also spent time in the Riverina junior system, working with the zone's high performance academy.

"His rapport with players is brilliant and his knowledge is also really good," O'Connor said.

"We think it's not only going to help the older guys, we've also got quite a few players from 15 to 18 that we really want to give opportunities to.

"If we don't give these guys a crack, they won't get any better.

"The 'Lavi' mantra of old, especially when Steve Wright was there, was to promote from within, it's held us in good stead in the 15 years I've been here."

ALSO IN SPORT:

The Panthers finished with nine teenagers in the top grades, including junior Riverina reps Oscar Lyons and Brady Marshall.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: