LIAM PHILLIPS
ANGASTON has secured its first big recruit of the off-season as it aims to go one better in 2020, and make amends for this year’s grand final defeat, adding 200-game Woodville-West Torrens veteran Scott Lewis to its A-grade squad.
The Panthers already boast an impressive midfield, featuring former Port Adelaide Magpies captain Steve Summerton, Lewis’ ex-teammate Marc Borholm and the talented Steve Rusca.
Angaston player-coach Jay Shannon said 32-year-old Lewis (pictured) was drawn to the club due to established relationships he has with some of the Panthers’ current players.
“Scotty and I always talked when we worked together about playing footy together somewhere when we left (the SANFL),” Shannon said.
“But the connection was with Marc, they were the best men at each other’s weddings, and their relationship together was a big pull to get him to the club.
“Hopefully he enjoys playing with us.”
Shannon said he would likely spend a lot more time forward this season, due to Lewis joining the Panthers’ engine room.
“(Lewis) will play mostly through the midfield,” he said.
“He’s always been a massive accumulator with really good ball use … he’s a genuine centre-man.”
Another area where the club expects its new recruit to be invaluable is in the development of its up-and-coming talent.
“To be able to bring in someone to the club who can not only perform on the field, but then also be a big help to our young local lads … it’s fantastic,” Shannon said.
“Especially a couple coming up from the 17s this year, and a few in the 18-22 age bracket who love to learn, to bring in that experience where he can teach those players is exciting.”
Shannon said Lewis will help the club push into the finals again in 2020, and aim to seek redemption for the grand final loss to Tanunda.
“Our expectations are to play finals again, hopefully make another grand final and go one better this time around,” he said.
“But, there’s a lot of changes; other clubs have been recruiting quite well and the competition is only getting stronger.
“We’re still not sure if we’re going to hold onto all of our players at this stage … (but) hopefully we can retain them and give ourselves every opportunity to be pretty competitive again next year.”