EFNL 2024: Ex-AFL Magpie Aiden Begg returns to North Ringwood among package of recruits

An Eastern Division 1 club admits it has ‘got lucky with a few’ gun signings – including a former junior fresh off an AFL stint.

Former Magpie Aiden Begg is back at North Ringwood after three years at the AFL club. Picture: Collingwood FC

It’s a homecoming for a recently delisted AFL Magpie who spearheads a swag of recruits at North Ringwood.

The Eastern league Division 1 club has welcomed back former junior Aiden Begg following three-and-a-half seasons on Collingwood’s list.

The 200cm Begg was snapped up by the Magpies with pick 18 in the 2021 mid-season draft after more than 100 junior games at the Saints and two years at the Eastern Ranges.

He played three AFL matches as well as 34 in the state league before a knee injury spelt the end of his time at the top level this season.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a decorated junior career which took in Eastern league representative honours and a runner-up finish for the under-17 comp best and fairest in 2018.

“He’s very athletic and has an excellent leap on him and can cover the ground quite well,” former Eastern Ranges talent manager Sean Toohey told this masthead in 2021, likening the tall talent to Essendon’s Nik Cox.

Aiden Begg during his junior years with North Ringwood. Picture: Supplied

Incoming North Ringwood senior coach Matt Price said a return to North Ringwood had been front of mind for Begg papers were stamped at AFL level.

“I think the club’s been in contact with him since his time of getting drafted and I know from reports, he hangs around the club and he comes to training when he’s available,” Price said.

“The club was thinking he was a possibility when he comes back to local footy that he would come back to North Ringwood.

“When he found out that the dream of AFL was over … I think it took a couple of weeks to realise, he focused on where he was going to play next.

“From the start he was always going to play at North Ringwood, but he just had to wait out that trade period.”

Price was hopeful the young Saint could return to his best next season following a torrid run with injury.

“He’s had some unlucky parts with injury … his back and he’s had knee issues – he just needs to get his body right and back to playing good footy again,” Price said.

“Who knows? He might have a good year and another AFL club might look at him again.”

Begg is joined by 2023 Dromana premiership ruckman and forward Taylor Davidson, who played under Price at the MPFNL club.

Price said Davidson’s arrival “came out of nowhere”.

Taylor Davidson celebrates kicking a goal during the 2023 MPFNL Division One Seniors Grand Final. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

“I did go and watch the grand final (this year) and I have kept in touch with a few of the guys … he just rang me out of the blue and said he’d been talking to a few (Eastern) clubs and said he was moving up this way,” Price said.

“He’ll be really handy, a big boy, only new to footy, his first season was with me a couple of years ago but he’s really professional in the way he goes about it – he learns and listens.”

Former junior and current Richmond VFL wingman and forward Ry Cantwell has aligned with the club, while East Ringwood’s Connor O’Brien who played in a reserves flag in Premier Division this year has also signed in search of a fresh start.

Swingman Joel Nathan has stepped away from Richmond in the state league and is back full-time, and Tom Wilson (Collingwood VFL) is set to align with the club again.

Price said while the swag of signings promised plenty, North Ringwood’s spot in the Division 1 pecking order was still a great unknown.

The Saints finished the season in seventh of Division 1’s 10 teams with a 5-13 record.

“We’re going to add some quality in but we don’t know where we sit at this stage – I haven’t seen them train yet,” he said.

“A lot of these guys have fallen our way a little bit, Taylor, Begg, Cantwell … we haven’t gone hard on the recruiting but I think there’s enough talent at the club.

“We got lucky with a few.”