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FORMER Western Bulldogs forward Matthew Panos is poised to re-enter the AFL system after transforming into a big-bodied midfielder and leading SANFL club Norwood to the 2014 premiership with a best-on-ground performance.
Panos, who spent 2010-2012 with the Bulldogs but played only six NAB Cup games, has attracted the interest of six clubs ahead of this year's draft and he will attend the South Australia state screening.
At 191cm and 90kg, the 23-year-old has modelled his game on Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury, Fremantle star Nat Fyfe and Sydney Swans onballer Josh Kennedy this year since changing his role.
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The midfield move turned out to be a stroke of genius for Norwood, which won its third straight premiership on the back of Panos's game-high 28 possessions, 12 clearances and a goal.
It was a role change forced on the Redlegs after their midfield was gutted by retirements and delistings, with Matt Thomas (Richmond), James Aish (Brisbane Lions) and Mitch Grigg (Adelaide) among 12 premiership players to leave at the end of 2013.
"The coaches discussed putting Matt Panos into the midfield, which is something he had never done, but from game one it worked," Norwood football manager Mark Ross told AFL.com.au.
"There were aspects of it that made sense, because when your disposal is immaculate, you're six-foot-two, and you can catch it over your head you become a very big bonus in the midfield.
"Then there's his ability to win a clearance and get it off by hand or foot in the direction you want.
"He's got really clean hands, he's a beautiful kick and a good decision-maker, and they're three things that all recruiters look at."
Panos will attend the state screening on October 11, meaning at least two clubs have expressed interest in the former under-18 All Australian.
The midfield move turned out to be a stroke of genius for Norwood, which won its third straight premiership on the back of Panos's game-high 28 possessions, 12 clearances and a goal.
It was a role change forced on the Redlegs after their midfield was gutted by retirements and delistings, with Matt Thomas (Richmond), James Aish (Brisbane Lions) and Mitch Grigg (Adelaide) among 12 premiership players to leave at the end of 2013.
"The coaches discussed putting Matt Panos into the midfield, which is something he had never done, but from game one it worked," Norwood football manager Mark Ross told AFL.com.au.
"There were aspects of it that made sense, because when your disposal is immaculate, you're six-foot-two, and you can catch it over your head you become a very big bonus in the midfield.
"Then there's his ability to win a clearance and get it off by hand or foot in the direction you want.
"He's got really clean hands, he's a beautiful kick and a good decision-maker, and they're three things that all recruiters look at."
Panos will attend the state screening on October 11, meaning at least two clubs have expressed interest in the former under-18 All Australian.
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AFL.com.au understands premiers Hawthorn as well as the Sydney Swans, Collingwood, the Brisbane Lions and Melbourne have shown interest.
Port Adelaide is also believed to have inquired after watching Panos get the better of its own second-tier midfielders on multiple occasions this season, including the Grand Final.
The question marks on him are pace, troublesome hamstrings and his ability to cover the ground after running 11-12km in his better games this season.
"He'd want to get that up between 13 and 14km, but we were trying to protect him a little bit with him hamstrings," Ross said.
"He had a limited pre-season and some hamstring issues prevented him doing the full amount of training, but that's been fixed.
"At his sort of pace you need to be able to cover the ground pretty well, like Sam Mitchell, Josh Kennedy and these sorts of guys.
"But he's only had nine months as a midfielder so far, so he can certainly build on that."
A leader at Norwood and a popular player after two seasons, Panos's decision to try and launch his AFL return from the SANFL appears to have been a wise one given the League's strong record of producing mature-age recruits in recent seasons.
"We don't expect to have him here next year, but it's always hard to know what the AFL clubs are thinking," Ross said.
"They'll take an Irish bloke who can run 100 miles an hour but can't kick the ball, but they won't draft a bloke who can't run but can kick.
"We go by the method that ball movement is done by foot and hand, not by how quickly you run.
"You'd think he at least has a chance of being a rookie somewhere."
AFL.com.au understands premiers Hawthorn as well as the Sydney Swans, Collingwood, the Brisbane Lions and Melbourne have shown interest.
Port Adelaide is also believed to have inquired after watching Panos get the better of its own second-tier midfielders on multiple occasions this season, including the Grand Final.
The question marks on him are pace, troublesome hamstrings and his ability to cover the ground after running 11-12km in his better games this season.
"He'd want to get that up between 13 and 14km, but we were trying to protect him a little bit with him hamstrings," Ross said.
"He had a limited pre-season and some hamstring issues prevented him doing the full amount of training, but that's been fixed.
"At his sort of pace you need to be able to cover the ground pretty well, like Sam Mitchell, Josh Kennedy and these sorts of guys.
"But he's only had nine months as a midfielder so far, so he can certainly build on that."
A leader at Norwood and a popular player after two seasons, Panos's decision to try and launch his AFL return from the SANFL appears to have been a wise one given the League's strong record of producing mature-age recruits in recent seasons.
"We don't expect to have him here next year, but it's always hard to know what the AFL clubs are thinking," Ross said.
"They'll take an Irish bloke who can run 100 miles an hour but can't kick the ball, but they won't draft a bloke who can't run but can kick.
"We go by the method that ball movement is done by foot and hand, not by how quickly you run.
"You'd think he at least has a chance of being a rookie somewhere."
