Panthers build mid-field
Rupanyup’s bid to reverse its fortunes in Horsham District Football Netball League might well rest on the 204 centimetres of assistant coach Zack May.
The Panthers appear to be building a mid-field crop around the talented ruckman who has joined the Dunmunkle force after a successful and premiership-winning stint with Sea Lake-nandaly Tigers.
He is also the eldest son of coach Andrew May who has returned to Rupanyup with an assignment to help the club navigate its way back up the ladder.
Andrew May is no stranger to success, having enjoyed stints as a player with the Panthers, Donald and Marnoo in the past.
He is working on developing a leadership group to build professionalism within the ranks.
“We’re going to try to build a side that can set the club up for the next few years,” he said.
“We’re hoping to lift ourselves up the ladder. In picking up a few players and waiting on decisions from a few more, we hope to be able to structure up a bit differently this season. I’m in to make some changes and think I have something to offer.
“I had a bit of success when playing football and the club probably needs to have an older head helping steer the group in the right direction.
“We will establish a leadership group and will also have other experienced heads on the bench.”
May said the majority of the Panthers’ playing group would be in the 19 to 24 age bracket and in the build-up to the season would work on fitness and skills.
The Panthers have signed North Bendigo midfielder Jordan Collins, who went through the under-18 Bendigo Pioneers with Zack May and Trent Grant, from Donald, and returning from a long lay-off with injury.
In other significant developments, the Panthers might have also won signatures from Jack Musgrove and Hugh Mcmurtrie who played with Stawell – Musgrove almost averaging three goals a game last season.
A late harvest has hindered numbers on the track but the Panthers have picked up the footies, training from 6.30pm at Rupanyup on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
“We all have confidence and are all looking for finals at this time of the year,” May said.
“The feeling is that there is an upbeat attitude around the club and while there is a fair gap to make up we hopefully can take the club in the right direction.”
The Panthers plan to have two practice matches and an intraclub match before the start of the season.
Rupanyup won only two games last year, finishing 11th on the ladder, but the Panthers might already be on the rise.