Panmure's midfield is set to be a force in the Warrnambool and District league this season with two former players returning to the club.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hampden league 2018 senior premiership ruckman Daniel Roache is back from Koroit.
Roache was also named second-best player in Koroit's 2019 reserves premiership.
The 28-year-old played in Panmure's 2012 and 2013 flags.
Coach Chris Bant, who is Roache's brother-in-law, got him back to the club.
"They're a great bunch of lads and it's a good country footy club," Roache said.
The premiership ruckman said he gained valuable experiences at the successful Saints and wanted to pass on his knowledge to the younger Bulldogs players.
Midfielder Purcell is back from Mininera and District league club Hawkesdale-Macarthur after four years away.
Purcell, who played 15 matches and kicked 12 goals, was sixth in the MDFL best and fairest count in 2019.
Roache and Purcell also played together for two years at the Eagles.
"We know each other pretty well," Purcell said.
The 27-year-old was an Eagles assistant coach and is hoping to bring on-field leadership to Panmure.
He said "the people" got him back to the club.
"I had a few of these boys come around to my place before Christmas time and it took five or six beers and I was over the line," he said.
READ MORE:
The Bulldogs have also added depth to their back line in signing 21-year-old Toby Bishop.
The half-back flanker/wingman played for Warrnambool's reserves side in the Hampden league in 2019.
Bishop has followed his brother Liam, who switched from Warrnambool to the Bulldogs last season.
"Ever since he left Warrnambool (Blues) I wanted to play with him," he said.
"He (Liam) said the club is really good and all the boys have been really welcoming."
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
