MPNFL: former NBL player Rhys Carter fires in Edi-Asp’s win over Rosebud

A former Sydney Kings basketballer played a starring role in Edithvale-Aspendale’s first win of the season in MPNFL Division 1.

Rhys Carter playing for the Sydney Kings. He made his Edi-Asp footy debut on Saturday, kicking three goals.

He’s been training with Edithvale-Aspendale for about a month.

And on Saturday, former NBL player Rhys Carter made a surprise MPNFL debut with the Eagles at the age of 38.

Carter slotted three goals to help Edi-Asp secure their first win of the season, a gritty 39-point win over Rosebud at Regent Park.

“We played him forward and it just helped us with being able to lengthen, being able to use the ball a bit longer,” Edi-Asp coach Paul McCormack said.

“He brought it to ground a few times and he helped (teammate) Micky Meehan.”

Carter was a talented footballer as a kid, making the Vic Metro team.

But he chose to pursue basketball and went on to have a splendid career; he was a two-time NBL champion and played 282 national league games with Perth, Sydney, New Zealand and Melbourne Tigers — and also represented Australia.

McCormack said Edi-Asp were thrilled to have Carter come on board in the past few weeks.

“His wife plays in the girls footy team and his son plays for the club,” McCormack said.

“He said, ‘look, I’ve been watching and love the atmosphere of the joint and I’d love to put the boots on’.

“He’s been training on and off for about a month and he just moves so well and we thought, ‘what have we got to lose?’.

“What do they say? The greatest risk is not to take a risk.

“And he did really well.”

Edi-Aspendale coach Paul McCormack. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The game was dubbed a relegation battle by some, with Edi-Asp and Rosebud both searching for their first wins of the season.

“It was very willing early,’’ McCormack said.

“They were really hard at it, Rosebud. Nick (Jewell) had them up and about and we were ready for it.

“I think having the home ground advantage definitely helped.’’

The Edi-Asp rooms were lively as the club’s 1987 premiership sides celebrated a 35-year reunion.

And the young Eagles did them proud.

Reece Orchard played his first game of the season and gave the Eagles a hard edge in the middle.

“Just having that powerful body around the footy really helps,’’ McCormack said.

Former Sandringham Dragon Kyle Yorke played his best game for the club, while Kurt Lopo, Mark Mullins, Nick Carlon and Chris Wylie were also in Edi’s best.

Nick Carlon takes a kick.

McCormack said the joint was jumping after the 11.17 (83) to 6.8 (44) win.

“The amount of people at the club singing the song, it was unbelievable,’’ he said.

“I’ve been in footy a long time and that kind of community spirit is amazing, really amazing.

“I think it’s good for the young blokes because they get a taste that this is actually a special club, they get that sense. And hopefully they want to experience more of it.’’

McCormack said Edi-Asp has been competitive in most games but a flat spot in games has cost it.

“We just drop off for quarters,’’ he said.

“And the next thing you know you look at the scoreboard and you’re down by bloody six goals. That’s the competition.’’

Edi-Asp face finals contenders Frankston Bombers, Frankston YCW and Bonbeach in the next three rounds.