Fevola will again be playing joint coach.

However, he will be part of a new coaching partnership, with Ash Manning replacing Sean Triplett.

Triplett is standing aside owing to family and business commitments, but will remain on board with the Panthers as recruiting coordinator and list manager.

A member of the Panthers’ only premiership side in 1994 when in the Riddell District league, Manning re-joined the club early this season in an assistant coaching role after resigning as head coach at Lancefield in the RDFNL.

He has an extensive coaching background, having led Glenroy to a premiership in the Essendon District league and Tullamarine to an EDFL grand final before moving to Lancefield.

Triplett announced the retention of Fevola, who leads the BFL goalkicking on 49, and the senior coaching reshuffle on Thursday.

He said while it had always been the intention that their appointment was for at least two years, there was always an element of “look and see” before recommitting.

Triplett said it had been a big call to take on Melton South after it did not win a game last year and uncertainty as to exactly how their aggressive approach to recruiting and push to become a force in the BFL would be accepted.

He said the club has progressed in leaps and bounds on and off the field.

Triplett said they were confident that with what they now knew about the club and competition that the Panthers could build on whatever they achieved this season.

Melton South is locked in a four-way tussle for sixth and Triplett is confident it will play finals – predicting it might go down to the last round clash with Darley.