BATHURST Panthers coach Todd Barrow might have a number of selection dilemmas ahead of this Sunday’s Group 10 season opener, but in this case his headaches should be a warning to other clubs.
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After going deep into last year’s premier league finals series – falling one win short of a grand final appearance – Panthers bolstered their stocks in the pre-season.
While losing winger Chris Shephard and prop Greg Behan to St Pat’s, Panthers have added the likes of halfback Doug Hewitt, and forwards Jack Siejka and Simon Osborne to their squad.
The men in black took out their own pre-season knockout a fortnight ago and will look to build on that form this Sunday when hosting Lithgow Workies. Still, Barrow knows it will take time for his new combinations to gel.
“We’ve shuffled everyone around a little bit, it’s just trying to fit everyone in which will be the hard job. Every week is going to be tough for us with the depth we have at the moment,” Barrow said.
“I’ve seen a couple of the new guys – Dougie in particular has been really good for us – but it will be good to see Ozzie and Jack running around together for the first time. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all pans out.
“There’s a lot of quality players in reserve grade which is only going to benefit the club as a whole … it will create some healthy competition.”
One prospect which does excite Barrow is how Hewitt – a player with Queensland Cup experience – will take pressure off his halves partner Claude Gordon and fullback Jeremy Gordon.
The cousins were responsible for much of Panthers’ creativity in attack last season – Jeremy Gordon being named Group 10 player of the year – but with more freedom in 2017 they could become even more threatening.
“I think Dougie, he’s taking a lot of pressure off both of those guys. The last couple of years we’ve sort of relied on Jez and Claude, especially in attack. But now to add Dougie into that, it’s taken a lot of the pressure off those guys,” Barrow said.
“it means Jez can play his natural game at the back an pop up where he wants to.”
As for what sort of challenge Lithgow will present this season Barrow is uncertain, but he does know an early win could prove valuable later in the year.
“I haven’t heard too much about them to be honest. They’re always a big side and like to play up the middle, so we’ll be expecting nothing different,” the coach said.
“I think it’s always important to start well, the first four to five weeks can really set your year up. Rather than chasing points at the back end of round one, it would be nice to go into the second round of footy somewhere up there.”
The game will start at 1.30pm at Carrington Park.