RETIRING triple premiership player Brian Lake is a chance to run out in Melton South colours next year.
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Although the Hawthorn hero has publicly declared that Western Region Football League club has been “bugging me like you wouldn't believe”, the Panthers will make a play at luring him across for at least one match for the season.
Melton South president Peter Earl said the club would consider trying to get Lake across for an early season game or two to boost attendance.
Lake has close ties with former Panthers coach and club legend Mathew Sutton.
“We think that if he’s playing anywhere it is going to be Caroline Springs, but we hope we might be able to get him for a game or two,” Earl said.
The Panthers have rolled the dice previously with big-name AFL retirees, most recently luring Chris Tarrant along for their round one match against arch rival Melton.
On that occasion, Tarrant reportedly doubled the normal attendance figure and almost steered his side to an unlikely victory over the favoured Bloods.
Earl said the success of that day meant his club could look to follow a similar path again.
Lake, 33, had said after Saturday's 46-point grand final win over West Coast that he wanted to play on for one more year.
But with the Hawks looking to rejuvenate an ageing squad, the key defender was convinced it was time to end his career.
Lake played 251 games with the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn.