Panmure looking to recruit Warrnambool-based juniors to prevent dropping out of league

If the Bulldogs can't find another 10 players to join the ranks in its under 12 and under 15 football teams, management will have to pull the pin on the 2019 Warrnambool and District League junior season. 

And this, according to club stalwart Marie Condon, would be a terrible outcome for the whole community. 

"This is really the only thing we've got in the town, so we need to keep it going," Mrs Condon said. 

Panmure junior football coach Steve Griffin, who joined the Bulldogs this year, agreed.

The Warrnambool West Primary School teacher said losing the under 12 and 15 sides this season would have a long-term ripple effect on the club's under 18 and senior sides.

"Once you lose a cohort of kids it's hard to come back, because juniors are the lifeblood of the club," he said.

There are currently eight local players committed to the under 12 side, with only six committed to under 15s. 

But Griffin said the junior Bulldogs could be easily bolstered by players based in Warrnambool, with the club offering to run a bus from the city for Thursday night training sessions and weekend games.

And he has a sales pitch ready to go. 

"I'm sure there'll be kids in Warrnambool who will miss out on a game or only play one quarter," he said.

"But if they come out here and play for Panmure, then they'll get a full game of football."

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