Developing the Southern Region’s talented juniors will continue to be a focus of the Panthers, with 11 of last year’s Under 18s joining the senior squad for pre-season.

It was 12 until Justin Bollenhagen’s selection by the Fremantle Dockers in last year’s AFL Draft. The former Reynella junior will now pull on the Red and Black of the Perth Demons in the WAFL, coached by Andrew Jarman, as he fights for a spot in the Dockers line-up.

With the SANFL proposing to cap the number of interstate recruits from 2011, the experience in recent years gained by the likes of Williams, Splitt, Crate, Turner, Redigolo, Veide and Murphy has the Panthers well placed.

Add this year’s batch of U18’s, and continued development of our coaching programs through the experience of League Coach Ron Fuller and Centre of Excellence Coach Jason Torney, and the future looks bright.

Ron Fuller is excited by the youth from the zone progressing through the football club.

“They’ll certainly get every opportunity and their development is critical to the future success of this footy club.

“There’s some talented lads training with the senior group and we know there are still several more still with the U18s that will come through.”

Joining the senior squad for 2010 are:

• Keegan Brooksby, Mitcham, ruckman/forward (198cm, 98kg) – 2009 SAFC U18 B &F winner, kicked 30 goals, son of former player Phil Brooksby. Played as overage U18 player last year and also played a number of games in the reserves.
• Tyson Davis Neale, Encounter Bay, midfielder (186cm, 80kg). AIS-AFL Academy Graduate. Played Reserves in 2009.
• Sean Beath, Willunga, midfielder (171cm 72kg), U18 captain 2009. Played reserves in 2009.
• Luke Bowd, Dudley United, Kangaroo Island (175cm, 85kg). U18 Vice Captain 2009. Winner SANFL U18 League Medal. 3^rd U18 B&F. Made League debut 2009.
• Eli Horrocks, Encounter Bay, midfielder (182cm, 75kg). Runner-up U18 B&F. Played Reserves in 2009.
• Tom Johnson, Langhorne Creek, forward (187cm, 82kg). Played reserves in 2009

Eligible U18s in 2010 in Senior Squad –

Nathan Pelle, Strathalbyn, midfielder (189cm, 73cm). In SANFL U18 Squad

Andrew Carter, Noarlunga, ruck/key position (194cm, 84kg). In SANFL U18 Squad.

Jack Guy, Reynella, ruck/key position (194cm, 82kg). In SANFL U18 Squad.

Rhys McKay, Port Noarlunga, midfielder/defender (174cm, 68kg)

Aaron Moules, Victor Harbor, key position (191cm, 84kg Bottom aged U18). In SANFL U18 Squad.

Keegan Brooksby	Sean Beath
Luke Bowd	Eli Horrocks