By Tara Murray
Wallan Panthers will use the disappointing end to the 2018 Big V women’s division 2 season as motivation for next year.
The Panthers finished the regular season in second, but were unable to win through to a second straight grand final series.
With the core of the playing group returning for another tilt at the title, Panthers coach Warren Taylor is confident they will be in the mix again.
He said Gemma Jackson, Jayda Hunter, Sarah Scott, Sage Dickinson and Megan and Karina Marasco would all return for a third season with the side.
Alex Darby, who won the club’s most valuable player award, and experienced Belinda Mascitti are also returning.
Taylor, who is planning to step down after this season, said the team was looking to build on continuity and a strong platform set this year.
As well as the core group returning, the Panthers have looked to add some new players to the mix.
Carly Simons will provide some experience, Maddison Delbridge is a young centre, while Savannah Blyth, Sarah Wakefield and Amber Ross will join the squad as development players.
Taylor said the pick up of Simons, who has played 250 Big V games and was captain of the Whittlesea Pacers this year, was a big signing.
“Carly is exactly the player we want and need at Wallan,” he said “A smart, talented, versatile forward who will bring so many different attributes to our group but above all else just a quality person and that’s really been our priority over the break in all our recruiting efforts.
“We have such a great group of girls returning and I know Carly will fit into the group perfectly, as will our other new faces.”
While the Panthers have added four players, they have lost four players as well.
Tessa Ramsay is likely to move to a division one team, while the club has parted ways with all-star five centre Emmie O’Nial.
Nikita MacDonald and Che Williams are also not returning.
“It is a real shame to be losing Tessa, she was just fantastic for us last year, on and off the court,” Taylor said.
“She will be hard to replace. It’s also a shame to lose Nik and Che but we wish them well.”
With losing two key talls from the side, Taylor said they were keen to add a marquee tall to complete their squad.
“With Tessa not returning we have a great opportunity for a post player to come in and be a focal point of our offense.
“Adding Carly is huge for us and we have a strong back court so a marquee post is the last piece of the puzzle to really to balance our structure.”
Anyone post player interested in joining the Panthers, can contact Warren on 0413319752 or at taylor.kilmore@yahoo.com.au.
