Former club champion Dean Easton returned as playing coach in 1996, with the ground reopening and a new jumper similar to Port Adelaide (SANFL) only black and red, the club was right in the finals race to seasons end and just missed a finals berth.

2002

With Brad Brennan at the helm for his second year as President and Garry Ramsay in his 4th as Senior Coach, the beginning of the 2002 season promised plenty but delivered little. With a horror run of injuries, the club paid the penalty for an improved 2001 being in the harder half of the draw with just one bye. Just one win from the first 10 games (round 4 Watsonia) and the club was staring down the barrel mid season, But Coach Ramsay remained positive and with the return of several key personal the club won six of the last nine including stunning wins in the last two rounds against Second place Macleod away and Fawkner Park away to end their final aspirations.
Mick Townsend made it back-to-back Best and Fairest while Young Will Box followed up his last season runner up to tie with Mick To be joint Club Champions and winners of the Ronald Archer Shield.

After Years of tireless work Glenn "Link" Reardon was awarded life membership and asked in his acceptance speech "would any one like to buy a ticket"

With out doubt the one of the most significant announcements in the clubs history was made on Thursday 29th August when The State Government Minister for State Industry and Regional Development, The Honorable Mr. John Brumby MP handed over a State Government cheque to add to the monies already pledged by Local Council for the building of our new Club Rooms and Social Club. This has been a long time in the planning and once the money has been received we will be in a position to commence the process for work to begin on the rooms, estimated to start at the end of the 2003 football season.

2003

The club was looking to start season 2003 the way they finished 2002,with Brad Brennan in his third term as President and Gary Ramasy is fourth as coach, Panton Hill was the first club to play the Valley's newest team Parkside and recorded a thrilling 3 point victory.

The following week a long awaited win Over Whittlesea had the club off to a great start.

A hiccup against Creek in round three on Anzac day, but wins against Fawkner Park and Kinglake and we had consolidated in the top six.

Unfortunately the win against the Lakers came at a huge cost losing star centre half back Chris Osmond with a year and perhaps a career ending Knee Injury.

From that point on the season was a roller coaster with only 4 more wins and while we were right in the hunt for finals to season end it was a disappointing finish to such a great start. Oddly enough it was our appalling record at home that proved costly winning just one home game for season 2003.

Former Northern Territory and Dual Sunbury Premiership player Mick Townsend made his own history winning his third consecutive best and Fairest from Will Box and Gary Osmond was awarded Life membership.

The end of the season also saw the end of an era with the Clubrooms being totally demolished for a complete new pavilion and Change rooms to be constructed for the 2004 season

2004

The 2004 season panned out to be the most successful since joining the DVFL. Solid recruiting at the start of the year saw us pick up some great new players, as well as the loss of only a few, including Team of The Century member Dean Campbell.

Again under the guidence of Coach Gary Ramsay the Club named reigning Club "Best & Fairest" Michael Townsend as the person to replace the retired Mel Dell'Olio as Captain of the Club, a popular choice in everyones eyes. Not a great season for our new Captain though, after starting well, a bad knee injury cost him dearly not being able to take the field in the second half of the season.

The season began poorly with a loss in Round 1, but the following week the Clubs new pavilion was Officially opened by State Treasurer John Brumby, Club president Tony Cahir, and a host of other dignitories. The team celebrated with wins against South Morang in both the Seniors and Reserves, the seconds Coached by club legend Robert Lamb.

The season played out well, although some costly losses in winnable games could have seen disaster particularly in the second-last round. A win would have seen us secure a spot in the finals, a loss left it in the hands of others. As it turned out we won the next week, and Whittlesea upset South Morang putting us back into the 6th position, and a place in our first DVFL Seniors finals series.

The final six system saw Panton Hill line up against 3rd placed Greensborough, a long time DVFL powerhouse, in an Elimination Final, a game few predicted we would win.

The Redbacks came out firing and overran our much fancied opponents knocking them out of the finals, and setting up a meeting the following week against Reservoir. The win did take it's toll though, minor injuries to many players, and a major leg injury to Will Box, our champion Centre Half Back saw him pull out of the 1st Semi Final just an hour before the opening siren.

The boys battled out the match but were outplayed in the second half finally losing by 87 points. The margin wasn't really reflective of the game, but regardless it ended our terrific season on low note, to eventual Grand Finalists Reservoir.

The season was also fantastic for the aforementioned Will Box, who won the "George Le Brocq" medal for the "Fairest and Best" player in the DVFL Second Division Seniors. Will won by a massive margin polling 30 votes against his nearest rival on 17.