Lavington batsman Matt Sharp's situation explained by coach Dylan Weeding

Last season, only three players in provincial cricket out-scored Sharp, who made 622 runs for the Panthers including five half-centuries.

But after an exhausting football season as the coach of Holbrook, who were denied the chance to play finals by lockdown, cricket has taken a back seat in Sharp's life for the time being.

He's not featured for Lavington so far and while coach Dylan Weeding has left the door open for Sharp to return later in the season, he won't force the issue.

"I've had some pretty honest conversations with Sharpy and I've left it completely up to him," Weeding said.

"I know what it's like to coach a club, in a cricket sense, and I can only imagine how much more involved that is in footy.

"It's a busy time of year for them, trying to recruit for next year and the season didn't finish the way they wanted.

"I've said 'I don't want you to come back because you feel obligated, I want you to come back because you really want to.'

"There's no doubt about the fact Sharpy loves the club, he loves the boys and he loves playing cricket but life's busy.

"He works full-time, coaches a footy club, which is another full-time job almost and I've told him to take his time.

"He's happy to still be around, I'm just not sure what sort of capacity we'll get him in.

"Hopefully we get him in for a few games but if not, we completely support him and we want him to do what's best for him and his family.

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"The boys love Sharpy and they gravitate towards him so even if he can't commit to that playing capacity, just having him around for a beer every couple of weeks is brilliant.

"We're going to sit back and let him do his thing.

"If we see him, we see him and it'll be a massive bonus."

Only four members of last season's grand final side will take to the field against Corowa this weekend, with Sam O'Connor (knee) and Sam Harris (ankle) injured while Tyler Roberson remains at university in Melbourne.

There'a an A-grade debut for teenage leg-spinner Jordan Croker and Brady Marshall keeps wicket again, while the Panthers will hope for more of the same from rising stars Eddy Schultheis and Oscar Lyons after their strong start to the season.

"When we picked the teams, our captain Michael Galvin was excited," Weeding said.

"He said 'we haven't had the opportunity to blood these kids and get them involved in our set-up because we've been so strong for the last five years.'

"It'll be really beneficial for them and they're at the level anyway. They're good enough to play. We've had to rejuvenate and take a different path but we're comfortable bringing them in."

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