Stars align as Panthers eye another title
BELL Post Hill has strengthened its premiership defence, signing stars Beau McNamara (pictured) and Matthew James.
Panthers coach Brad Martin yesterday confirmed McNamara and James had inked contracts with the club, which is gunning for its fifthstraight flag in 2018.
McNamara, a two-time premiership player with Bell Post Hill, returns after a twoyear stint with GFL club Grov- edale. James, who was third in North Shore’s 2016 best and fairest, crosses to Myers Reserve after sitting out the entire 2017 season due to a contract dispute with the Seagulls.
“We signed Matt last year but he was contracted to North Shore and he didn’t get to play with us,” Martin said.
“His contract expires in six days and he’ll officially become a Panther, pending a clearance obviously, but he won’t be contracted this time around.
“He trained with us from November through to April and once the clearance window closed he was pretty adamant he wasn’t playing.
“He still kept in touch and watched our finals and he’s passionate to play with us and within five days of our premiership he’d signed a contract, which is fantastic.
“He will light it up. He’s faster than Tane Rabbas, he’s faster than Luke Turner and he brings elite speed into our comp.
“It’s exciting and it offsets the loss of Jack Yates in our midfield.”
Yates returns to Tasmania, while goalsneak David Holzfeind is back after missing the entire season with a knee injury.
McNamara bolsters the defence significantly after playing a key role for the Tigers.
“He creates a new dimension for us,” Martin said.
“With Danny Gray coming into our defence, and Cam Addie, Tim Barton and Shane Lymer controlling things down there, it gives us a chance to swing him around and play him at both ends.
“It’s a great asset that we’ve got so many guys that can play in any position on the ground.”
Martin said he was pleased to lure McNamara, a popular teammate, back to the club.
“It’s a good thing when someone leaves on good terms, has a crack at the highest level and then they get an opportunity to go back home,” Martin said of McNamara.