IN WHAT shapes as a huge pre-season for Bathurst Panthers, the club has been given a massive boost with former Group 10 centre Christian Luyks announcing that he will be returning to the premier league side this season.
Luyks was a part of Panthers’ back-to-back premiership-winning teams in 2005-06 and last pulled on the boots in 2010, though his final few seasons were interrupted by more than his fair share of injuries.
His return comes at an opportune time after it was announced that Jeremy Gordon will be heading to St Pat’s this season, and his absence in the centres could be a problem though Luyks’ comeback solves the problem to a degree.
He could find himself in the forward pack though according to coach John Fearnley.
“He’s a bit older now and may have lost a bit of his speed from when he was at his best so the back row is also an option, we’ve discussed that with Christian and he seems okay with it,” Fearnley said.
“I’ve got a bit of a history with him, I coached him way back when he was playing under 14s so we know each other pretty well.
“He’s a leader, we’ve got a pretty young squad and we will be relying on players like he and Matt Kirkland, ‘Bubba’ Kennedy and Steve Lane to lead them and bring them through.”
Fearnley had no official role with the senior club in 2011 where Panthers finished fourth, but he was an interested onlooker for most of their home games and said that there was one obvious area for improvement in which Luyks can make a big difference.
“There were a few matches that I saw last season that were pretty tight, games where Panthers were in the match for 60 or 70 minutes and probably could have or should have won, but some silly mistakes cost them,” he explained.
“Having the experience of someone like Christian there will make a big difference.
“I’m really pleased so far with the way things have started off in terms of training and the attitude that the players have brought this year so hopefully by the time the season starts we are ready to play some good footy.”
The new coach says that patching the hole in the backline left by Gordon - assuming Luyks plays in the forwards - is going to give a number of players an opportunity to show what they can do.
“There are a few options there, Rhys Haynes is one, he’s just coming back from a leg injury and Mitch Davis coming up from the under 18s is another possibility,” he said.
“Nathan Shaw is also an option. We’re pretty confident we can fill it.”
Panthers will host Group 6 team Oakdale in a three-grade trial on March 10.
It will be their first serious hit-out of the season before the Bathurst Knockout in April and the start of the Group 10 season to follow.
The Oakdale first grade side won last year’s competition under former Manly Sea Eagle Brandon Reeves.
“It might be a little bit early for a trial but we wanted to organise something with them and that was the only date available, they start their season a few weeks afterwards,” Fearnley said.
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