Ovens and Murray Football Netball League ops manager Greg Dawson retires

Now that won't surprise anyone who's ever had any dealings with the workaholic official, the ultimate quiet achiever, since he started in March, 2013.

But what will surprise is that Dawson, who's about to retire, says he was never like that as a player.

"As an official, if somebody does rile me, I just tend to switch off and think, 'if they're going to be like that, there's no use the two of us going head to head'," he explained.

"It's totally different when I played football, I was forever trying to stand up for your mates, having blues (fights) and trying to put somebody off their game.

"I liked to get out there and, I suppose, have a little bit of showmanship."

He might have tried to steal the limelight as a self-confessed "very average footballer", but Dawson is the classic 'behind the scenes' man.

"There's few people like Greg who are as well respected as he is, he just goes about the job without any fuss and I've never heard him ask for any accolades," Patterson revealed.

Aaron McGlynn was the operations manager prior to taking the league's top paid role of general manager.

"He's given everything to the job, he'd work 24-7 if he had to," he praised.

Prior to his league stint, Dawson also worked as Albury Tigers secretary-manager and followed it with two years as Wodonga Raiders' general manager.

"He's always been really helpful to the clubs," Corowa-Rutherglen president Stuart Lingham suggested.

"When (former O and M general manager) Sean (Barrett) resigned just before the start of this season, he had to pick up a lot of the work until Craig (Millar) started and he worked seven days a week, he just did what was in the league's best interests and he's a good fellow as well."

And Millar certainly appreciated Dawson's effort.

"It's been a pleasure working alongside 'Dawso' through a challenging season and I am going to miss his positive attitude and calm demeanour," Millar said.

O and M chairperson David Sinclair will never forget Dawson's contribution.

"'Dawso' has built a wonderful rapport with clubs and has built enormous respect across the local football landscape, his calming nature and knowledge will be sorely missed," he offered.

And Dawson says he's enjoyed every day.

"I loved it so much, I was so happy to be there for such a long period of time and the best part is you get around the clubs and meet all the different people and make associations," he enthused.

At 67, Dawson will return to golf, play bowls and hit the road with his wife of 41 years, Pam, to catch up with daughter Kate, son Matt and three grandchildren.

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"I'm so lucky that Pam loves sport so much, she has always said family is number one, sport is number two and she just loves to support me."

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