While acknowledging last season’s runner-up had its work cut out to make the top five, Koschitzke said “eight to 10 games” was his target this year after playing 20 matches for the Panthers in 2015.

He made his first senior appearance in the Panthers’ round four win over Wangaratta after playing reserves against Albury to open the season.

The former AFL big man missed rounds two and three with commitments at St Kilda, where he played 200 matches, and didn’t play in the Panthers’ last-start loss to Myrtleford. 

The 33-year-old will line up for his second match of the season on Saturday when the Panthers host Wodonga at Lavington.

“It doesn’t bother me going stop-start, I probably feel better doing that and it will help me leave a bit more in the tank for later in the year,” he said.

“I reckon eight to 10 games would be a good number for me this year.

“I played 10 or 12 games the first year but then last year, including finals, I played 20 and I was cooked by the time finals came around.

“I was coming in pretty sore.

“We’re at round six and I’m only coming into my second game so hopefully I’ve got a bit left in the belt in the second half of the season.

“It’s not a big problem.

“I did a full pre-season down at Beaumaris and did all the footy work from Christmas with (Adam Schneider and Stephen Milne) so I feel better than I have the last couple of years.”