HALIFAX PANTHERS director Adam Butterfield believes looking after Australian signing Jesse Soric while the side were mothballed earlier this season will pay dividends now they are back in action.
With the new version of the club hit by a twelve-point deduction after the February liquidation of the old, leading to the spell of inactivity, the Panthers are one win from zero after beating Swinton 24-22 on Sunday thanks to a last-gasp try from Soric and Myles Lawford’s conversion.
The 20-year-old from the Northern Rovers region of New South Wales has appeared in ten league games as well as two Challenge Cup ties.
There are another eleven to go, starting at Batley on Sunday, and while Butterfield accepts making the top-ten play-offs is likely too tall an order, he says the Panthers are determined to accrue as many points as possible, nonetheless.
Soric was a close-season arrival from the Gold Coast Titans system, having previously been at New Zealand Warriors and before that, Byron Bay Devils.
He penned a two-year contract, but with all players becoming free agents following liquidation, could have been among those who moved on like his fellow Serbia international David Nofoaluma, who joined York.
“There was interest in Jesse, and while it was an uncertain time for all players, it was even more difficult for him as a young man in a new country,” said Butterfield.
“But we looked after him and made sure he was alright, and it’s great that he stayed, because he’s a talented lad who will get better still.”