Panmure legend Josie Ellerton has signed on as the club's new A grade netball coach as the Bulldogs land the biggest recruits of the Warrnambool and District league off-season.
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South Rovers coach Jess Rohan will join the club as a playing assistant and Lions' midcourter Lisa Pender and goalie Abby Sheehan have also signed on.
Sheehan and Pender are regular faces off-court at Panmure, supporting their partners who play football at the club.
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Rohan, a talented goal keeper, won the 2018 WDFNL most valuable player award.
Ellerton said the signing of the trio was huge as the Bulldogs strive for finals in 2020.
"Abby, Lisa and Jess are all amazing players," she said.
"I will certainly be much happier playing alongside, rather than against them.
"To get a defender, a midcourter and a goalie.
"It's a pretty strong spine to get into a team."
Ellerton, who will juggle the new role with her final year of studying nursing, said having Rohan as an assistant was valuable.
"She's a tough player and having coached before - she'll be a huge asset," she said.
Ellerton, who has more than 20 years of senior netball experience, is a Hampden league life member.
She played with Terang for 14 years and coached the club's open side to three finals series from 2001-2003.
She also had a development role at South Warrnambool from 2010-12 and coached Panmure's A grade side in 2013.
This season she was the Bulldogs' captain after she took 2018 off to study.
She said that leadership role inspired her to take up the coaching reins again.
"I had that leadership role and I just realised how much I enjoyed it and enjoyed being around the club," she said.
Ellerton, whose husband Murray is a selector for the Bulldogs football team, is mum to Leo (11) and Ned (4).
She said the club had an amazing family-friendly atmosphere.
Ellerton is excited about the Bulldogs' prospects for 2020.
"We've got a mix of existing players, up and coming juniors and recruits," she said.
"Hopefully we find that perfect mix."
Ellerton hopes to lead the Bulldogs to the top-five after finishing seventh this season.
"Everyone is super keen to get back into finals action," she said.
"Our first focus will be on creating a strong bond among the team and then hopefully playing some smart, winning netball."
Ellerton, who grew up on a farm near Panmure, coached the club to a grand final in her only other year in charge (2013).
The next year she played in the Bulldogs' inaugural WDFNL A grade premiership, a thrilling one-goal win against Old Collegians.
Ellerton replaces outgoing coach Stacy Dunkley who was unable to re-commit to coaching in 2020 due to work demands.
The club is hosting a meet and greet on Friday night for its football and netball teams.
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