Giant sounded out
Panthers try to entice ex-skipper back
BELL Post Hill has revealed it is in discussions with former premiership captain Chris Moreland about returning to the club next season.
Panthers coach Brad Martin said he had floated the idea of Moreland making a homecoming, but was adamant no contract had been put to the Geelong West Giants star.
“I’m great mates with Chris and I’ve got a great relationship with him, but that’s up to him,” he said.
“We talk as mates. One pointers are critical now. I’d have him back any day of the week. (But) it’s up to Chris. He’s a Vic Country footballer.”
Asked if Moreland was likely to return to Myers Reserve, Martin was uncertain.
“I reckon he’ll have another crack at GFL,” he said.
“I reckon West are on the up, and a new coach in, himself and Jayden Symes are both off Vic Country years. It’d probably be bad to come back, yes.”
Moreland would add genuine class to a workmanlike midfield, further bolstering the club’s hopes of challenging for a eighth premiership.
There will be no retirements, with Joel Page opting to play on next season.
“Pagey’s signed,” Martin said. “We’ve signed 90 per cent of our list already. It was done months ago.”
Star ruckman Renn Lovitt has signed, while captain Cam Addie has committed for 2018.
“We wanted to do it a month before the season finished,” Martin said of player contracts.
“We said, ‘here’s your contracts, no pressure’.
“I don’t do the contract signings myself, but he (Addie) said, ‘I’ll just wait until it ends, I’m not going anywhere’.
“You know what Cam’s about, he’s only 29.”
Martin acknowledged the potential lure of Belmont Lions, with former Panthers’ premiership player Ash Witney accepting the coaching role.
“It’s pretty tough. If you’re taking a GDFL guy to a GDFL club, you’re almost an instant four-pointer,” he said.
“And if you’re a guy who was top five in your best-andfairest, you carry an extra (point) and it’s a five.
“That’s Ash’s call. He’s probably best focusing on lower point players and onepointers.
“But we’re all good mates with him still, and the opportunity was there for him, and we’ll what eventuates. But how do you walk away from this.”
Martin has another two years remaining on his contract and he has no plans of heading elsewhere.
“I signed for one (initially), and that was the agreement, and I said, ‘let’s see how we go’,” he said.
“Midyear, the club said we want you on for another two, so that gives you a lot of confidence.
“We don’t want to slow down. We spruik that we’re just getting rolling.
“We’re a young club. What’s the next step? Divvy two? divvy one? Who knows?”