Panthers wanted

But coach confident most will stay

BELL Post Hill coach Brad Martin says he will not be distracted by the jungle drums as he bids to lock down key players for next season.

With Jayden Ettridge, Tim Barton and Nick Costello linked to Belmont Lions, the Panthers could have a fight on their hands to retain the trio.

Key defender Beau McNamara is also said to be weighing a return to GFL club Grovedale, providing Martin with a few headaches before tomorrow’s football department review.

But Martin stressed he would not lose sleep over the speculation.

“I think they’re the same three players who were going to Belmont last year, too,” he said.

“I haven’t heard anything, but I’m sure they’ll be throwing money at them.

“Ettridge would be a five pointer and the other two would be four pointers, so that’s 13 points right there for a club who play at 42 all year.”

Martin conceded a host of players, including McNamara, remained unsigned but he was hopeful of securing a bulk of the senior list.

“We’ve locked away the young core group and most of the senior group have resigned,” Martin said.

“Then it’s just a matter of catching up. It’s a long process to get everyone re-signed.

“And some of them are happy to wait until the end of the year, so we put them aside.

“Our players are hunted every year and it’s up to them whether they stay or go.

“We’ve never let players hold us to ransom. “That hasn’t changed.” Defender Shane Lymer is reportedly weighing retirement, but Martin is eager for him to play on.

“I definitely think he could go around for another year on a limited program,” he said.

“Will Urquhart is another one who would be up in the air. But after we lost, the core group was pretty excited to get stuck in again.

“It’s still pretty early. Tim Burton and Beau McNamara are best mates and Beau’s one of our leaders and I couldn’t see him leaving, so I couldn’t see why Tim would either.”

Belmont coach Ash Witney said he was talking to a number of players but did not confirm any who were on that list.

The Panthers are also on the hunt for star recruits and have plenty of room to move in the points cap.

“We averaged 27-28 points all year, so there’s plenty of points available,” Martin said.

“A ruck-forward would be really handy for us.”