The Panthers finished second under Musgrove in the abandoned 2021 Horsham District Football Netball League season and the addition of Ison is a huge coup for them on and off the field.

According to Ison the move to Rupanyup, "wasn't an easy decision" after spending the last 11 seasons with Minyip-Murtoa.

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He was ultimately swayed by his ambition to be a head coach.

"Rupanyup approached me; I know a fair few of the boys there and I'm good mates with Daniel Schaper," Ison said.

"This opportunity was too good to pass down.

"I tried to be as loyal as I could but unfortunately my ambition of coaching couldn't be resolved at Minyip-Murtoa and Rupanyup is obviously a very good football and netball club."

Musgrove was equally thrilled to be coaching alongside the Burras' champion.

"The biggest thing going into this year was trying to find someone to help me out," Musgrove said.

"To have Braydon come across not just as a player, but someone who can really help me out from a coaching perspective is just phenomenal.

"We're really excited for that. Braydon and I get along really well and we're really looking forward to building that together into next season."

According to Ison the desire to be a head coach was something that had "grown" on him during the last couple of years.

"I've just really enjoyed seeing development and this year seeing the young blokes coming through; talking to them and coming up with strategies," he said.

Playing as the Burras' assistant coach, Ison finished 2021 as the equal leading goalkicker in the Wimmera Football Netball League and brings with him a wealth of big-game experience.

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He played in the Burras' drought-breaking 2019 flag victory and as previously mentioned he played a key role in their 2021 minor premiership.

Alongside Musgrove who won the 2021 HDFNL goalkicking award, the pair will certainly provide headaches for opposition defenders in 2021.

There may however be some discussion as to who gets to be the main target in the forward line.

"I might have to put him (Musgrove) in the backline yet," Ison joked.

As joint coaches, Ison said he was looking forward to working with Musgrove, who he described as a bit of a "footy nut".

"He (Musgrove) loves his footy," he said.

"Hopefully I can work with him and we can teach each other a few things and learn and grow."

Rupanyup had more good news recently, announcing the re-signing of reigning Best and Fairest winner Elliott Kelly, along with Mitch Gleeson and Jack Kreuzberger.

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