Panton Hill couldn’t be hungrier to tackle the 2019 Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 season, according to coach Steve Layt.
The Redbacks enjoyed a successful return to third division in 2018, finishing second on the ladder before going down to ladder-leader St Mary’s by 13 points in the grand final.
Layt said the club had dealt with the disappointment of the grand final defeat and was hungry to atone in 2019.
“The players are an extremely competitive group of boys that seriously just want to win games of footy,” Layt told NFNL.org.au.
“They are as hungry as they could ever be right now.
“Although we were devastated (to lose), the club have handled it well because we had achieved our objective which was to play finals in 2018.
“We achieved that, and at no stage got ahead of ourselves. We knew it was going to be tough and we probably achieved a little bit more than what we expected initially.”
With St Mary’s promoted to A Plus Labour Solutions Division 2 and no side being demoted, Panton Hill is entering the new Heidelberg Golf Club Division 3 as one of main flag fancies.
Despite external expectation, Layt said he wary about his side setting its sights too far forward.
“Last season I was very impressed by the way Laurimar improved and they are the ones we really think can push hard. They’ll be the ones that surprise most and that we would be pretty wary of,” Layt said.
“Kilmore impressed us as well and could be a strong improver this year and South Morang will always be up there as well.
“The unknowns are Heidelberg West, but the competition is so even that anyone can win on any given day.”
Panton Hill will unveil key recruit Joel McLellan in Round 1, with the former Montmorency big man set to ruck alongside reigning best and fairest winner Nick Parks.
McLellan played 87 games for the Magpies and claimed the club’s best and fairest in 2015. He has also previously played senior football with both Greensborough and Lower Plenty.
Layt said McLellan’s arrival would also have a positive impact on the club’s forward structure, with 2018 leading goal kicker Rhys Boyden set to spend more time inside attacking 50m.
“I’d expect Joel McLellan to dominate in the ruck and if he stays healthy, he will have a big year,” Layt said.
“We were searching for a support ruckman for Nick Parks to give him a break now and then and we actually came out on top because now we have got a Division 1 quality ruckman.
“We expect both to have even time through the ruck and Joel will probably rest a bit down forward at times.
“The issue was the ruck, that was our biggest drama last year with Boydo having to ruck for us for a lot of the year. The way we are set up now, providing both stay healthy, Boydo can stay in the goal square.”
Panton Hill will also welcome back small forward Cam Jordan, who missed the 2018 season. Jordan will add pace and goal nous, alongside fellow small forward Alec Tsardakis.
The duo will combine with key forwards Boyden and Matthew Byron, with opposition backmen set to have their hands full containing the Redbacks’ potency in attack.
“They’ll be the two key smalls Cam Jordan and Taco (Tsardakis) and they’re as good as anything going around in the competition in terms of small forwards,” Layt said.
“We are pretty happy with them down there as we know both can be dangerous and will be a handful for the opposition.
“If Matty Byron can keep his body healthy then he can do anything up forward, along with Boydo and Tsardakis.”
Panton Hill has been hit with an injury blow ahead of Round 1, with midfielder Dan Freeman likely to be ruled out with a shoulder issue.
Layt said Freeman had been a standout on the track, winning the club’s Pat Cronin Award for the player setting the standard at training.
“He’s suffered a shoulder injury which is disappointing because he’s been a standout on the track,” Layt said.
“His scans have been delayed but my guess would be that he’s a 50/50 chance of playing.”
Panton Hill begins its 2019 campaign against newcomer Old Eltham Collegians at Eltham College in Round 1.
