Chris Annett is as hungry as ever for success with Lavington.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The defender broke his thumb in July last year which ended his season and subsequently ruled him out of the Panthers' premiership run.
Annett played in Lavington's two grand final losses to Albury in 2015 and 2016 and is hopeful he'll get a better run at it in 2021 after a delayed start with a broken toe in pre-season and the setback with the thumb limited him to eight games in 2019.
ALSO IN SPORT:
"To see the boys win it hurt a bit, but it drives you a bit more to win one with them," Annett said.
"The thumb has healed and I've nearly got maximum movement and strength out of it, which is good.
"I had 12 weeks off work because I'm a sparky and I'm right-hand dominant.
"I still have to massage it every now and then to get the muscles moving in it."
To see the boys win it hurt a bit, but it drives you a bit more to win one with them
- Chris Annett
Annett said he was cautious with the thumb in pre-season for the 2020 competition, which was eventually cancelled by COVID-19, but hasn't had any trouble since he recommenced club training in recent weeks.
"We've had a few fair numbers at most sessions which has been good and there's a bit of drive in the group to win another one," he said.
"We're claiming the COVID flag (laughs) because we won one grand final but we've held it for two years."
Lachy Gaffney is in a similar boat after he missed all of 2019 with an ACL injury.
"Lachy had a knee reco and he's back as well, so him and I are saying we're the new recruits they've brought in," Annett laughed.
Veteran John Hunt was ruled out of the Panthers premiership side by injury, which went on to defeat Wangaratta, but Annett said he's been training well.
"He was smashing a few in the running one night I was there, but I'm not sure if he rocked up late or he was on time (laughs)," Annett said.
"He's still fit and healthy, there's no stopping him I don't think."
Simon Curtis was reappointed for a fourth season as Lavington coach in August, after speculation he may return to Canberra.