The Black and Whites are ready to pounce this weekend when the first-grade side makes their way to the West Wyalong Knockout on Friday.
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Co-coach Andrew Lavaka said his troops are looking forward to taking to Ron Crowe Oval where they take on Woden Valley Rams in the fourth game of the night.
"It's pretty exciting," he said.
"Footy is back, and the boys have been missed playing, and they are pretty excited to get back out there."
The Panthers have been back at training for a couple of months now, and Lavaka is happy with the direction the side is heading.
"The numbers at training have been great, and the boys have been learning," he said.
"Pre-season is never fun, but we are a month out from the season getting underway."
It is the second year in a row that the Black and Whites are sending a team across for the knockout, and the coach is looking forward to seeing how some of the younger boys fare in the quicker format.
"The knockout has been around for a long time and it's always good to take part in," he said.
"We have a few new players here and there. We have some young guys stepping up, and it is an excellent opportunity for them.
"Knockouts are always a pretty fast game. It will probably be the first hit-out for a lot of the sides this weekend, so they will be excited to see how they go.
"It's the first hit-out for us, and we are just excited to get back out there and see what the boys can put on the park in terms of performance."
In last year's event, the Panthers saw off the challenge from Temora with an 18-13 win before falling to Young on the first try scorers rule after the side's finished level on 18-all.
Footy is back and the boys are pretty excited
- Andrew Lavaka
It will also be a special moment for the Lavaka family as the brothers, Andrew and Uafu, coaching side-by-side for the first time.
"You don't get that opportunity often, and I'm taking it with both hands," he said.
"It will be great to be coaching with him alongside me."
Friday night draw
6.30pm: Temora Dragons v Leeton Greens
7.10pm: Forbes Magpies v Young Cherrypickers
7.50pm: Yass Magpies v TLU Sharks
8.30pm: Griffith B&Ws v Woden Valley Rams
9.10pm: South City Bulls v Dubbo Macquarie Raiders
9.50pm: West Wyalong Mallee Men v Nowra Bomaderry Jets
10.30pm: Goulburn Workers v Wagga Kangaroos
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