Panthers’ ominous warning as stars return
BELL Post Hill is getting the band back together.
With seven additions to the club, the Panthers are building a list that rivals its best during its dominance in the past decade, according to coach Justin Tarr.
Dylan Witney, Nick Costello, Daniel Gray and Tim Barton will all be back at Bell Post Hill next year, while brothers Chris and Nick Daniele signed up after playing juniors at the club.
The returnees will be joined by Jake Kearney, who played with Newcomb in the BFL in 2018.
Tarr, who will lead the club solo next year after Caleb Bacely chose to focus on playing, said he expected a leap after the Panthers missed the top five in 2019 for the first time in more than a decade.
“We’ve got a really good list. It’s up there with the most talented list we’ve had in the last 10 years,” he said.
“All of our current players signed up three-quarters of the way through last year, so they are all committed.
“Last year was a perfect storm with guys leaving, a lot of retirements. Under the circumstances, I think we did really well.”
A departure from senior roles at Belmont Lions brought Witney and Costello back; Gray returned after focusing on athletics this year, while Barton returned after playing under his brother-in-law’s coaching at Penshurst in the Minnera and District league.
Tarr said the club had been chasing the Daniele brothers — who were most recently at Portarlington — for a few years and both decided the time was right to play back at their junior club.
The pre-season kicks off at Myers Reserve on November 13 and Tarr said his squad was ready to go.
“I think we’ll be a top-three chance and then go from there,” he said.
“Our goal every year is to finish top three, that gives us the best chance to win a premiership.”