Former AFL player Aaron Edwards happy at the Pythons, signs contract extension

FORMER AFL player Aaron Edwards has re-committed to Pines for the next two years and intends to finish his stellar career at the Pythons.

Pines forward Aaron Edwards hauls in another mark. The ex-AFL player will return from injury late in the 2018 season. Picture: Chris Eastman

AARON Edwards has re-committed to Pines for the next two years and intends to finish his stellar career at the Pythons.

“After three great years at the club where the supporters, people and crowd are sensational, why would I leave?,’’ Edwards, who signed a two-year contract extension recently, said.

Edwards, 33, suffered an ACL injury last season, but after a knee reconstruction, is on track to make a comeback in late 2018.

Edwards’ move to Pines after his AFL days had finished was a coup, but he said it was an easy decision.

“The location was close to my family. I wanted to play in front of them.

“But the challenge to rebuild the club really interested me,’’ he said.

Edwards laughs at the perception people have of the club. Pines is a family club.

“I wanted to resurrect the image of the club and help move it forward,’’ he said.

He said Pines had a VFL-standard coaching environment that younger players in the region should consider.

“(Coach) Paddy (Swayn) is an educator and watching him develop players like Ash, Jackson, Boyle and Marshall has been a thrill,’’ he said.

Edwards says his goal for 2018 is to play in the grand final.

“We are a massive chance,” he said.

*Aaron’s tip for budding junior players wanting to kick goals is: keep it simple and don’t overcomplicate things. Just feel comfortable and kick as you would for a field kick.