MPFNL: Grand final hero Nick Boswell returns to Pines

He executed the “fend off of the century’’ in Pines’ 2018 grand final win — and now he’s back to do it all again. The Pythons have regained one of their favourites, and also signed a VFL gun.

Pines celebrate after winning the 2018 MPNFL Division 1 grand final. Picture: Andy Brownbill)

A VFL recruit and the return of a premiership hero.

Pines has further bolstered its list ahead of the 2025 season, with Williamstown-listed Jack McHale registering the Pythons as his home club.

And Nick Boswell, so crucial in Pines’ unforgettable one-point win in the 2018 grand final, is back in the Snake Pit after two years in Perth.

McHale, who is the great grandson of legendary Magpie Jock McHale, made Bonbeach his local club last year but has made the switch to Pines.

Jack McHale takes a kick for Williamstown. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Pines coach Paddy Swayn was rapt to gain the classy left-footer but doubts he will play many games for the Pythons in 2025.

“It just depends on how his form (in the VFL) goes,’’ he said.

Boswell reached out to Swayn after returning from two years working in Western Australia.

“He hasn’t played footy for two years,’’ Swayn said.

“He’s been running marathons and doing all that Hyrox stuff. He came to training (on Monday) and he’s fit as anything.’’

Boswell famously gave an open hand fend-off in the dying seconds of the 2018 grand final against Sorrento, with scores level.

It allowed him to shrug off a tackle, sprint forward and fire off a handball to Lachie Marshall, who in turn speared a pass to Aaron Ludewig.

Ludewig took a chest mark 40m out on a slight angle moments before the siren sounded.

Aaron Ludewig kicks the winning point. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Nick Boswell in action for Rosebud in 2016.

In front of 8000 people, Ludewig’s pressure kick sailed through for a point to give Pines its first premiership since 1994.

Boswell’s experience and love of the “big stage’’ will be beneficial for Pines this year, Swayn said.

“He won’t play every game because he’s turning 35 this year,’’ he said.

“We’ll nurse him through. But he’ll be a handy addition.’’

Boswell also played in Rosebud’s 2015 grand final victory.

“He was probably nearly best on ground for Rosebud in that grand final they won in 2015 and he was probably in our top four or five in ‘18,’’ Swayn said.

“He’s a big game player, he likes the big stage. He’ll be good for us.’’

Swayn said Boswell was crucial even before his tackle-breaking play in the ‘18 decider.

“Even before that, the goal he kicked to make it level, when everyone’s knackered, he kicks a goal from outside fifty, it does not deviate, straight through, post high, you’ve got to say that’s a pretty good kick considering the circumstances and the time of the game, everyone’s knackered,’’ he said.

“To be able to find a 55m kick is unbelievable.’’

Swayn said Boswell phoned him recently to see if he could rejoin the Pythons.

“He just rang up and said, ‘I’m coming back, keen to play’. I said, ‘bloody oath’,’’ he said.

PINES
IN: Kane McKenzie (Somerville), Zechariah Cuppens (Reservoir), Cam Olden (Richmond VFL), Kayden Sharp (Finley), Shaun White (Lyndhurst), Lachlan Sharp (Somerville), Nick Boswell (returning from WA), Jack McHale (making Pines his home club but listed with Williamstown VFL)

OUT: Shane Savage (Tooradin-Dalmore), Macgregor Cameron (Echuca), Jake Pusch (Karingal), Aaron Philp (Skye), Jarrod Richards (Subiaco)