Despite an attrition rate that has claimed premiership players Luke Carroll, Graham Hart, Clint Dickins, Todd Brown and most recently Adam Mathews, the Panthers are moving on and not dwelling on the glorious past, according to long-serving coach Tim Sanson, who enters his ninth season in charge.

“This year is this year, last year is last year,” Sanson said.

“It’s pretty simple really.

“We don’t make any bold statements, we will be fine.”

The Panthers will go into round one against the Roos with a total of six players missing from their premiership line-up, although Nick Holman is starting 2006 in the reserves.

But don’t bother Sanson with references to the past.

“To be honest I wouldn’t have a clue about how many aren’t there,” Sanson said.

“But there is always a turnover and most teams would go through that.”

The departures of Hart, Dickins and Mathews have forced the Panthers to tweak their line-up and call on players who have done those jobs in other seasons.

“We’ve got guys who can cover those blokes who aren’t there now,” Sanson said.

“We need them to step up in various positions.

“We make no secret of the fact if we get exposed in those positions so be it.

“But we will be right.”

Brett Sanson and Brandon Mathews are expected to take on more responsibility in the backline and best and fairest winner Adam Butler will most likely hold down centre half-back.

Kade Garland is a young key defender and in an ironic twist the Panthers have signed Tom Hickey from the club Adam Mathews will play for this season, Holbrook.

The left-footer, who played in the Brookers’ 2004 premiership team in the Hume league, lined up for the Panthers in the practice match against Shepparton United last Saturday and booted three goals.

Marcus Shaw also has been recruited to the Panthers from Holbrook, but will start in the reserves.

The Panthers are sweating on the fitness of ruckman Peter Doherty, who left the ground early against Shepparton United seven days ago with a hamstring twinge.

“He trained last night and got through,” Sanson said.

“He didn’t train Tuesday, but we basically said to him ‘get yourself right’.

“It was more back-related than anything.”

If he takes his place, Doherty will go head-to-head with Corowa-Rutherglen veteran Brendan Eyers in a pivotal battle given the relative strengths of the two midfields.

Marc Almond, who missed the Panthers premiership last season due to injury, again is on the sidelines nursing a hamstring strain.