The re-appointment will take Pritchard into a third year with the Panthers, extending a tenure that has seen the Panthers hit hardest by COVID disruptions.

As one of the league's three metropolitan-based clubs, Melton South had to spend more of the season in lockdown than its regional counterparts and were limited in their training sessions before multiple games.

The Panthers flirted with a finals place for the season's first block after winning consecutive games for the first time since 2012.

Lockdowns and injuries took their toll as the season progressed with Melton South settling for a 10th-place finish, two wins off the finals pack.

It was the Panthers' best finish under Pritchard after taking out the wooden spoon in his first full season in charge in 2019.

Pritchard initially stepped into the role midway through 2018 after predecessor Ash Manning was sacked just seven rounds into this season.

The Panthers' leader will have plenty of his trusted guns at his disposal next season, with last season's leading goalkicker Dylan Conway headlining the list of returning players.

Joining the former VFL forward in recommitting is key onballer/ half forward Shaun Wyatt.

Wyatt, an experienced former VFL player in his own right, kicked 15 goals in his eight games after crossing from Bairnsdale.

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