PROFILE
After claiming their first premiership in 39-years – as well as the reserves and under 18 flags – the Panthers enter season 2023 hungry for success.
With premiership coach Linton Jacobs returning, along with much of their flag winning squad, Marong will go in as red-hot favourites to claim back-to-back titles for the first time in the club’s history.
But while many clubs in the Loddon Valley have been busily recruiting and adding much needed depth to their rosters this pre-season, the Panthers have instead backed in their current squad – with Jacobs looking to blood the next generation of Marong footballers.
“We haven’t recruited too heavily, because we felt we had some good depth in our reserves and we’ve been pretty selective for who we’ve gone for,” Jacobs said.
“We want to keep building and give ourselves that opportunity again, but the key will be from our growth within.
“I’m pretty confident I know what we’re going to get from our mature age and more senior players, but it’s the younger guys who I’m looking forward to seeing them elevate their games and help us take the next step as a group.”
While Marong appear strong all over the ground, they will be especially dominant up forward with both Brandyn Grenfell and Kain Robins returning this season. As if that wasn’t scary enough for opposition defenders, the Panthers have also added Colbinabbin swingman Matthew Riordan, who is expected to play forward in a three prong attack.
Also arriving at Malone Park this year is Michael Bradbury, who will take over the ruck duties from Justin Hynes – while Jai Gretgrix, Matthew Grant and Noah McCaig will all return to their home club and join an already bulging midfield that contains Corey Gregg, Nathan Devanny and Kyle Manley.
“We’ll make a couple of changes to our defensive structure and the way we set up around the footy, but we’ll be pretty attacking again,” Jacobs said.
“People come to watch the footy because they want to see teams score – we think we’re well drilled defensively, but when we get the footy, we want to score, so we’ll be trying to move it quick.”
FROM THE COACH
“We want finish in the top three and give ourselves every opportunity to win another flag. We’re certainly not the finished product and while we had a good season last year, to be a really good club, you want to do it multiple times and keep putting yourself up there.”
KEY PLAYER
Brandyn Grenfell
Hard to argue that someone who kicks the most goals (154) in country Victoria last season, including nine in a grand final, as well as winning his club’s Best & Fairest, isn’t their most important player. Another big season looms for this imposing key forward.
IN’S & OUT’S
IN’S
Michael Bradbury (Quambatook)
Matthew Riordan (Colbinabbin)
Jai Gretgrix (Eaglehawk)
Matthew Grant (Mitiamo)
Noah McCaig (Scotch College)
OUT’S
Adam Ward (Wandella)
Justin Hynes (Calivil United)
Corey Jacobs
