Panton Hill determined not to let Division 2 opportunity slip in 2020
Panton Hill coach Simon Amore was a part of the Redbacks’ last premiership-winning team and has no doubt his players can make the promotion to Division 2 permanent this time around.
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Panton Hill coach Simon Amore knows first hand backing up a premiership and promotion-winning season can be difficult.
Amore was a member of the club’s NFL Division 3 flag in 2013 but the Redbacks were never able to cement themselves in Division 2, finishing bottom three each year before being relegated in 2017.
Taking the reins from Steve Layt, Amore has been impressed with his players dedication to pre-season training.
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“Considerably (impressed), they’re coming off a premiership and you’re never sure how they’ll react – if the fire in the belly is gone or it will spur them on to something bigger,” Amore said.
“I was a part of the side that went up a few years back and the playing group was probably at the wrong end of that, we were an older group.
“These guys are in the prime of their playing days and they’re excited to give Division 2 a crack and try to cement ourselves.”
Panton Hill has retained the bulk of its premiership squad with Division 3 leading goalkicker Rhys Boyden still weighing up his future.
Premiership captain Tyler Scarce has returned to Cracknell Reserve, while Jack Ryan has switched from Division 1 club Heidelberg.
Amore said there’d been no talk of relegation with the club firmly focused on making the most of its opportunity.
“We haven’t broached the subject ourselves, but absolutely that’s the goal and focus. We’re not going up to Division 2 to make the numbers up,” he said.
“The club’s got higher expectations and we don’t want to be known as a perennial third division side anymore.
“I don’t think it needs to be said (relegation), the goal is to stay up and push for as higher spot as we can.”
The Redbacks will play two practice matches in the lead up to Round 1, firstly against Old Eltham Collegians before a trip to Kinglake.
Amore has been satisfied with the Redbacks’ pre-season ahead of their opening-round clash with Diamond Creek on April 4.
“The usual suspects in Scott Conte and Mitch Anderson are flying at the moment,” he said.
“Nick Parks is going strongly, he’s a young ruckman that came into own at the end of last year, he’s looking really impressive.
“If you play three or four practice matches the season starts to feel a bit long, so we’ll just play the two and roll into Round 1.”
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