Frankston VFL forward Lachlan Sharp joins MPFNL Division 1 club
Pines has added firepower to its 2025 list, signing a strong-marking VFL forward. He’s the second state league recruit in a productive off-season for the Pythons.
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Pines has added a sharp edge to its forward line for the 2025 season.
The Pythons have signed Frankston VFL goal kicker Lachie Sharp, who will make Pines his home club while he continues to play at the Dolphins.
“He’ll be good,” Pines coach Paddy Swayn said.
“I don’t know how many games he’ll play for us but in the games he plays for us he will definitely straighten us up.”
Sharp is a former Somerville player who kicked 38 goals in the 2023 season and played in the Eagles’ grand final side against Mornington.
He joined Frankston in 2024 and played 10 VFL games, kicking 10 goals.
Pines has also signed Somerville key defender Kane McKenzie.
“We’ve got the bookends from Somey, really, McKenzie and Sharp,” Swayn said.
“McKenzie, he’s a really good citizen. Really good. I’m really impressed with him, a great leader, he will be really good for us. Super humble.”
It’s been a productive recruiting period for Pines.
Richmond VFL player Cam Olden will play full-time with the Pythons in 2025.
“He’s fitted in really well too,” Swayn said.
“We are really fortunate to get him. He’s played at Richmond in the VFL the past four seasons.”
Olden has also played in two premierships at Leongatha — and once kicked eight goals in a final for the Parrots.
“Our forward line is starting to look a bit more dangerous which is good,” Swayn said.
“We needed to kick more goals. Cam Olden and Sharp will help us kick more goals. And then put in Kane McKenzie in the backline, another key position.”
Former Finley teammates Zechariah Cuppens and Kayden Sharp are other notable additions.
But Pines has also lost some leading players, notably key forward Jarrod Richards, who’s headed to West Australia to play with Subiaco, and midfielder Shane Savage (Tooradin-Dalmore).
Swayn said champion ruckman Russell Gabriel was trim and fit.
“Russell’s 7kg lighter,’’ he said.
“He’s still got weight in the right spots but it’s good for him from an age point of view to be a bit leaner.’’
PINES
IN: Kane McKenzie (Somerville), Zechariah Cuppens (Reservoir), Cam Olden (Richmond VFL), Kayden Sharp (Finley), Shaun White (Lyndhurst), Lachlan Sharp (Somerville)
OUT: Shane Savage (Tooradin-Dalmore), Macgregor Cameron (Echuca), Jake Pusch (Karingal), Aaron Philp (Skye), Jarrod Richards (Subiaco)
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