Jack Musgrove re-signs with Rupanyup for 2021 Horsham District league season

The Panthers secured a handful of valuable signings and looked like an outside contender in the Horsham District league before the 2020 season was cancelled.

Musgrove said the excitement and potential of the playing list made it an easy decision to re-sign.

"We thought we missed out on an opportunity this year with the pretty good list we put together," he said.

"The early indication is that most are keen to return again, so we're hopeful of having a similar list and having another crack at it.

"Obviously we're still a long way off for next year and there are a lot of people not really sure what is going to happen between now and next footy season, but we expect to get a lot of people recommitting.

"We should have a couple of re-signings in the coming weeks."

RUPANYUP'S 2019-2020 OFF-SEASON:

Musgrove said the excitement that had built around Rupanyup made the cancellation of the 2020 season all the more disappointing.

"It was pretty draining there for a while. I was pretty upset that we didn't get to see what we could do in round one against Swifts," he said.

"We put in a really solid pre-season and we were really looking forward to it. It's disappointing not to fire a shot.

"But you have to just take it as it comes. Everyone is in the same boat and the health of everyone is more important than footy.

"We're just looking forward to next year and hopefully getting a full year of footy."

Musgrove will be supported in the coaches box by two-time club best and fairest Elliot Kelly, who has re-signed as an assistant coach.

Musgrove insisted that despite a one-year delay, an eager atmosphere still remained at the Panthers.

"The enthusiasm is still there - it's just another year of generating even more excitement," he said.

"The buzz that we brought with the signings last year will hopefully help us build for next season, too.

"Obviously everyone can see that we were really building and looking promising. Hopefully that will be a good talking point when we talk to other potential recruits, who can see we're moving in the right direction."

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