By James Segeyaro's admission he was unprofessional at times last year and his form dipped.

He was a reflection of Panthers 2015. Inconsistent and plagued by injuries.

Ahead of what he considers his most important season, the 25-year-old who is off-contract at season's end, hit out at himself.

"My preparation leading into [the 2015] season wasn't great," Segeyaro said. "I was unprofessional. I was injured a lot and couldn't get that consistency. I was in and out of training.

"I knew I wasn't performing to my best .Everyone also knew in the club. Coming into November I was very focused. I'm in a good head space.

"I wasn't doing the things I normally do. When you don't have a pre-season it's very hard and you're always trying to catch up and then I had setbacks with injuries. I was trying to do too much.

"This whole pre-season I haven't missed a training session. Last season I had to reassess results and the performance I had. The whole club had to reassess."

The Panthers have been shown a little bit of tough love by new coach Anthony Griffin. Segeyaro said there had been a step up in intensity and volume at training.

"Mentally it was something we needed," Segeyaro said. "Something we missed last year."

"I used the break to freshen up. I went overseas and got away from footy. I came back for this pre-season.

"It's been rewarding. I'm seeing things from another point of view. Hook [Griffin] is a different type of coach. Change is hard at the start but once you buy into everything you see the bigger picture in things."

Segeyaro hopes the bigger picture will include a better mindset heading into games. While Segeyaro said he needs to improve his composure, he is aiming at locking in a long-term deal at the club.

"It is very important season for myself and the Panthers," Segeyaro said. "Now with Hook and the pre-season we've had, it's very dangerous with how the blokes are looking, especially the young blokes who have a season behind them.

"It wasn't the best season for us but you learn from that and sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards. We've all learnt that.

"Subconsciously I've probably thought about [being off-contract] but I haven't sat down and given it too much thought. I've been focused on having a good pre-season. I really want to be consistent and play better for the Panthers. Last year was pretty disappointing.

"I'm a Penny Panther at the moment and looking to stay."