GET ready for a super Seager, a rampaging Rivett and a gung-ho Gordon - that is the message from Bathurst Panthers coach Doug Hewitt as his side builds for the return of Group 10 Rugby League.
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As the season 2018 and 2019 premiers, Hewitt and his men were keen to aim for a Group 10 premier league three-peat last year.
While the COVID-19 pandemic denied them that chance with Group 10 officials opting to cancel the 2020 season, the Panthers are just as hungry for success and still intent on making it a treble this year.
Aside from the departure of prop Josh Starling who'd signed for 2020, Hewitt is hopeful of retaining a bulk of the squad that celebrated on grand final day in 2019 after the Panthers beat Mudgee 9-8 in extra-time.
"It's pretty similar to two years ago, all those boys plus a couple of extras that have come from other places, we haven't really signed anyone at all, we're just hoping to put the same team back on the paddock," he said.
Jeremy Gordon was not part of those premiership sides, having signed on to make his Panthers return in December 2019. But the versatile back is a player Hewitt is tipping big things from this year.
"Jez is probably the most keen out of anyone at the moment, he was the first one calling me up and asking when we were starting back," Hewitt said.
"We had a couple of games of touch footy just before Christmas just to get back into the swing of things and he was at every training session and he's been training the house down. He's ready to rip and tear.
"The way he's been training, usually he sort of just hangs on the cuffs and does whatever, but he's actually ripping into training and making sure everyone else is on the ball.
"He's looking a really solid prospect this year, I can't wait to see him back out there."
Gordon is not the only Panther who has been working hard in the pre-season to prepare for what is to come.
After being part of Oberon's Mid West League Cup premiership success last season, Josh Rivett is keen to build on his title streak with Panthers, while star prop Brent Seager is again expected to be a weapon up front.
It's a pleasing sign for Hewitt, who had been concerned players may struggle with motivation.
"I know myself it was hard enough to talk myself into going for runs to get ready again, so I know everyone else is in the same boat after a year off," he said.
"Some blokes have had kids and some have gotten engaged and had other things on their mind, so footy's not at the front, but some of them are really keen.
"Josh Rivett, he's another one champing at the bit. He's back at Panthers and is ready to rip in.
"At the club we had no worries with him playing last year for Oberon at all, he actually called me and asked if I'd mind. I told him I didn't mind and he said that he'd be back.
"Then big Seags, I was a bit worried about him coming back after winning two comps then having a year off, I didn't know if he'd hang the boots up, but he's been training since October.
"He said that 'Now I've had a year off I reckon I can play for another five or six years.'"
Panthers will begin their title defence with an ANZAC clash against St Pat's.
