Coach Ryan Hendy felt ready to call time on his coaching career with Devon Meadows as the Panthers commenced their 2025 finals campaign.
But after winning the Mornington Peninsula Division 2 premiership and earning promotion into Division 1, that all quickly changed.
With a big challenge in front of Devon Meadows, Hendy and playing coach Dean Kent were both re-appointed to help the side successfully transition to the top level.
“The club, myself and Dean decided that everything worked really well last year in coaching together,” Hendy said.
“Going into Division 1 next year, we didn’t want to change too many things up and I didn’t really want to let them go up there on their own, so I’ve decided to go on for another year.”
Kent played 100 games at AFL level across his time at Melbourne and St Kilda, kicking 91 goals and flourished this season as co-coach for the first time.
Not only did he have a huge impact on the club and the young playing group, but also on his fellow coach.
“I enjoyed working with him so much, that is probably one of the main reasons that I am going around again,” Hendy said.
“I feel like we feed off each other and made each other better coaches, he has a lot of respect from everyone at the club and is a great role model for all of the kids as well.
“He has given me the confidence to want to do it again, he backs me in with everything and I back him.”
Hendy’s decision to sign on as coach for next year didn’t come without thorough discussions with his family and the club.
“I really contemplated putting a lot more time into my young fella Will – he goes really well at footy and is getting to that age where he wants to really push himself and see where he gets with it,” he said.
“I had a good chat with him, my wife and daughter and as soon as we sat down to discuss it, they pushed me to coach again.
“They love the footy club and coming down every week, so that obviously made it a bit easier to decide to coach again.”
No sudden decisions were going to be made about future seasons, with Hendy to take it “year by year”.
“This will be my fifth year as coach, obviously if the club or I think it’s time for change, we will do whatever is best for the club,” he said.
“But at the moment, we feel everything is working well and we are getting the most out of our young kids.
“It was kind of a no-brainer that both parties decided that I would coach next year and have a crack at Division 1.”
With strong retention and an eye on recruits, particularly in the forward half, the Panthers are in a good spot ahead of their first season at the top level.
