MPFNL: Heart scare again for Dylan Roberton as Pines chase recruits

Pines are hoping mid-year signings will propel them into MPFNL Division 1 finals as Dylan Roberton is sidelined again.

Dylan Roberton isn’t expected to play again for Pines this season. Pic: Michael Klein.

Pines aren’t banking on Dylan Roberton returning to the field this season.

The former Fremantle and St Kilda defender hasn’t played since experiencing another heart scare in Round 2.

Roberton retired from the AFL in 2021 after being diagnosed with an ongoing heart condition.

Crossing to Pines this season from Frankston YCW, he felt something wasn’t right in a match against Frankston Bombers in April.

“At quarter time he came up and said, ‘mate, my ticker just doesn’t feel right’,” Pines coach Paddy Swayn said.

“I said, ‘sit down then, you’re done’.”

Swayn said father-of-four Roberton, 31, would put his family first and playing football again was unlikely — although he hasn’t ruled him out completely.

“He’s got four young kids, got gigs at Casey Demons and Melbourne,” Swayn said.

“It would have been nice for him to play more games with us but at the end of the day your health is number one…it’s not worth it.

“Look, he hasn’t said he’s not coming back but we talk every week…every chance he gets to come down, he comes and helps us on the bench, he’s been really good.”

Another of Pines’ pre-season signings, key forward Alex Spencer, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after shoulder surgery as a result of a badly dislocated shoulder in Round 4.

“He’s done for the season…it’s a massive blow,” Swayn said.

Spencer’s unavailability leaves Pines needing another key forward as they look to stay in the MPFNL Division 1 top five.

The Pythons are 5-4, in fifth spot, at the halfway mark.

“We’re trying to see if we can snag another forward,” Swayn said.

“We’ve got no chance of doing anything in the finals if we can’t kick 10 plus goals.”

Jayden Adams.

Shane Savage.

Pines scored a gritty two-point win over Bonbeach on Saturday, with a couple of stunning plays in the dying moments securing victory.

Bonbeach looked like snatching the lead when its key forward Trent Dennis-Lane got rid of his opponent and rushed towards goal.

But a desperate lunge from Pines defender Jayden Adams, in his first game back from a knee reco, knocked Dennis-Lane off balance, denying Bonbeach the go-ahead goal.

Moments later, as Bonbeach surged forward again, Guy Hendry flew for “a Leo Barry, you beauty mark”, saving the day as the siren sounded.

Ex-AFL Hawk and Saint Shane Savage was enormous, playing midfield and changing up forward. He kicked four goals out of seven for Pines.

Pines still has Beau Hendry waiting in the wings. The former club captain has been sidelined with a calf injury but is nearing a return.