They were hoping for a Panther win after a star-studded recruiting drive, but most of all they were there to see Brendan Fevola in his first outing for the club.

And he did not let them down. With the crowd riding on every move he made, Fevola had a dream start when he kicked the opening goal after just three minutes after the ball went over the back of a contest and he was able to dribble it through.

He kicked each of the Panthers’ four majors for the quarter.

While he kicked only one more goal, late in the third term, his presence was enormous with the Melton defence having to constantly focus resources to cover Fevola.

The rain which came in the second half did not make it easy for Fevola or any forward and even then he missed a few chances he would normally convert. 

He is going to give plenty of defenders a headache.