Melton South has looked to add more depth to its list as it looks to continue its climb up the Ballarat Football League ladder.
The Panthers made headlines last offseason with its strong recruiting, headlined by co-coach Brendan Fevola.
While the Panthers fell just short of finals, they showed massive improvements on the previous winless season.
A former AFL player headlines the Panthers signings for next season.
Mitch Golby, who played 58 games for the Brisbane Lions, has joined the club, along with his Port Melbourne teammate Dale Hoghton.
Former players Dillon Sharp and Reece Miles have returned to the Panthers, while Lancefield best and fairest winner James Wooster is also coming across.
Midfield depth was one area the Panthers looked to address according to co-coach Ash Manning.
While the Panthers had guns Nick Kommer and Mark Lynch, he said they lacked the depth once they went off the ball.
Manning said the players they’ve got in would play key roles in the middle.
“It was about getting a bit of balance in the midfield,” he said.
“Mitch was a player that we targeted and were lucky enough to get him. He’s mates with Dale and he wanted to come and play with us and we’re talking to another mate of theirs.
“Rhys is a midfielder and James is a forward-midfielder.
“All the new guys will be handy in taking the next step.”
The signings will help fill the hole left by Kommer returning to his home state of Western Australia.
Defender Adam El Houli has left the club after one season, returning the Western Region Football League.
Manning, who took over the co-coaching role from Sean Triplett, said there was still a buzz around the club and making finals was the aim this season.
He said he was enjoying being back in a senior coaching role.
“I’ve been a senior for 10 years,” Manning said.
“I started the year at Lancefield, but things didn’t go well there and I ended up getting back to Melton South a club I played in a premiership at.
“Sean didn’t have the time and the club asked if I was interested. I always wanted to be a senior coach again and what better club than a club I played for.”
