The Panthers were knocked out in the Warrnambool and District semi-finals last year, losing to eventual premier Woodford, but with another year into the young group, they are hoping to be around the mark again this summer.

“It’s time now where those players that have got a taste of it can start applying their skills,” Templeton said.

“Not seeing themselves as learning, but seeing themselves as capable of being contributors.”

Templeton, who was the Panthers’ leading run-scorer last summer, is part of a new-look coaching panel at the club, with Matt Fairhall appointed assistant coach.

Fairhall has previous coaching experience at Pakenham and Mooroopna, while Templeton is stepping up after serving as assistant coach last season.

The new head coach has been interested in coaching for some years, but believed in serving an apprenticeship first.

“I think you’ve got to learn first,” he said.

“You can’t go in without experience.”

The pair said they are unlikely to go searching for any big recruits to help lift them to the final, instead preferring to give any opportunities that open up to players coming through the ranks at Davidson Oval.

“Sometimes you can cut off your nose to spite your face,” Templeton said of chasing recruits.

“We had the ability (last season), but we couldn’t put the consistency out there that we needed to get consistent results.”

Fairhall agreed, saying there were “a lot of internal guys” who would thrive and give similar results to recruits if given the chance.

“I want to see our young guys develop and continue to grow,” he said.

“We’ve got a really good young core of guys.”

West Warrnambool rose to second spot in the Hopkins conference last season with a group of players aged 19-24.

Templeton, at 24 years old, was the third oldest player on the list, with a couple of veterans including Fairhall, 34, bringing experience into the group.

West Warrnambool club president Shane Threlfall said there could yet be more additions to the panel before the season starts in October, but was happy with the pair the Panthers had secured.

“Alastair has played all his cricket with West Warrnambool, right through all our junior programs through to being a division one player for a number of years,” he said.

“He’ll bring some great qualities to our club in terms of his leadership.

“Matt has played a lot of cricket at a high level; he’ll bring a lot of experience and ideas to the coaching panel.”