MPNFL 2022: Shane Savage and Russ Gabriel impress for Pines

Pines’ star recruits were labelled “amazing” and “scary” after the Pythons drilled 22 goals in an eye-popping start to the MPNFL Division 1 season.

Pines captain Beau Hendry (left) celebrates a goal with teammate Jacob Boyle. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Shane Savage was unstoppable as Pines kicked eight goals straight to start the season on Saturday.

The former Hawthorn and St Kilda star had a bunch of centre clearances as the Pythons hurried to a 51-32 lead against Edithvale-Aspendale at Regent Park.

The blazing start put Pines on the path to an impressive 78-point win, 22.17 (149) to 10.11 (71).

Savage, though, strained his right hamstring in the second quarter and watched the Pines procession from the sidelines after half-time.

Pines ruckman Russell Gabriel competes hard. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Pines coach Paddy Swayn was thrilled with Savage’s start.

“How quick is he to break the lines?” Swayn enthused.

“He’s going to be scary.

“He had a slight hamstring, and we just said, ‘no, we’re not going to do any more damage’, like we’re not going to turn a three weeker into a six weeker.

“But he will definitely miss probably three games.

“It was a blow for him but the positive from our point of view was even when he went off we kicked 14 goals to five…so it wasn’t like we were a one man band.”

Pines had a heap of other spark starters as it outplayed Edi-Asp.

Shane Savage was brilliant early for Pines.

Savage watches on.

Returning ruckman Russell Gabriel dominated in the middle and up forward. Edi-Asp had no answer to him.

“Russell was amazing,” Swayn said.

“He just gave us so many different options whether he was in the ruck or up forward.”

Pines’ gun midfielder Lachlan Marshall ran rampant and livewire forward Aaron Ludewig slotted three goals in the opening quarter.

Former Seaford wingman Nick Braund was named Pines’ best player after a four-quarter display of speed and skill.

Even Edi-Asp’s new coach Paul McCormack was impressed with Pines.

“Mate, they’re a good outfit,” he said.

“They obviously won the flag in 2018 and had some decent players back in their side.

“Big Gabriel dominated the game. He was just amazing. (He’s a) big ruckman, he’s played 150 VFL games, he was just really good.

“They’ll be a very good side this year.”

Kurt Lo Po takes a kick for Edi-Asp. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Edi-Asp’s star recruit Kurt Lopo never stopped trying and was brilliant at times.

He kicked the opening goal of the game.

Another Eagles recruit Kyle Yorke kicked four goals in an impressive display.

Young ruckman Andrew Courtney tried hard against Gabriel all game.

McCormack said his side went into the game under prepared and would be better for the outing.

“No excuses but it was our second game,” he said.

“We had two teams pull out of practice games, so we had one praccy game…I think we will improve as the year goes on, there’s no doubt.

“But they (Pines) are a hard and strong, mature outfit, really well coached and well drilled. They were all over us.”

McCormack added: “We will have our ups and downs, we just have to make sure we improve every game.”

Edi-Asp host Bonbeach on Good Friday, while Pines face Frankston YCW on Easter Saturday.