MPFNL 2023: Aaron Edwards looks to return to Pines

Another former AFL player is seeking a return to a Mornington Peninsula league club. Here’s the latest...

Aaron Edwards playing for St Kilda City earlier in the season. He’s applied for a clearance back to Pines. Picture : George Sal

Yet another big mid-season inclusion for Pines.

Former AFL forward Aaron Edwards has lodged a transfer application to join the Pythons from St Kilda City in Southern league.

He follows Dane Swan and Luke Potts to Eric Bell Reserve before the June 30 clearance deadline.

Edwards is a former Richmond and North Melbourne forward and VFL JJ Liston Trophy winner who knows Pines well.

He kicked almost 300 goals in red and green, and played in a premiership, during a successful five-year stint with Pines.

Aaron Edwards. Picture: George Sal

Edwards marks this season. Picture: George Sal

This season, he’d fired off 39 goals in 10 matches for St Kilda City.

Now Edwards is back to power the Pines push for finals in MPFNL Division 1.

“I saw him play last year in the finals and he looked good, he looked fit,” Pines coach Paddy Swayn said.

“So he’ll definitely help us out.”

Pines is in fourth spot with a 7-4 record and the addition of Edwards up forward should only strengthen them.

“Three weeks ago that (kicking goals) was our problem,” Swayn said.

“We could keep mobs to around the 10 goal mark, but we struggled to kick more than 10 ourselves.

“But in the last few weeks we’ve changed a few things and we’ve kicked 12 and then 14 —that’s the winning type of score you’ve got to be kicking in our comp to be competitive in finals.”

Swayn hoped Edwards’ experience would benefit the club’s young players.

“We’d be getting him more for a development point of view, to help develop some kids, and that will be my conversation with him,” he said.

“He’s got two of his good mates there.

“Swanny felt really comfortable on Saturday which was good.”

Pines will have a chunk of AFL experience in its midst, with Edwards, Swan, Shane Savage and Dylan Roberton, who hasn’t ruled out returning to action this season.