MPNFL: Recruits likely as Pines looks to return to the top of the tree
MPNFL powerhouse Pines is set to lose several star players as it undergoes a list makeover — but good news looms, with the Pythons hot on the heels of ex-AFL and VFL recruits.
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Two years after its famous 2018 MPNFL Division 1 grand final victory, Pines is set to undergo a list makeover with some of its biggest names moving on.
Premiership stars Luke Potts and Aaron Edwards are unlikely to be with the Pythons in 2021, as is ruckman Russell Gabriel.
Potts and Edwards were cleared to St Kilda City in the Southern league in June.
Pines had already lost Tim Bongetti and Paul “Chewy’’ Scanlon, to East Keilor, before the coronavirus crisis hit.
Pines hopes to replace them with quality players who have played at a higher level, coach Paddy Swayn mindful of the need to inject more youth into the side.
“We had 12 guys last year over (the age of ) 30 and we just can’t sustain that,’’ Swayn said.
“At the end of the day we’ve just got to keep evolving. You can’t play forever and you can’t sustain 12 guys over 30…we’ll try to look at getting some ex-VFL and ex-AFL players and keep working with what we’ve got.
“We’ve still got a very good side.’’
Pines followed its ’18 flag triumph by finishing second on the ladder last year and exiting the finals in straight sets.
Swayn said he hoped to snare a big name recruit or two in the coming weeks.
“I reckon we will,’’ he said.
“We’re close to a couple of VFL boys at the moment, they just want to see what happens with the VFL.’’
Swayn hopes to finalize the list by the end of October.
“We’re trying to get our current crop signed on,’’ he said.
“And then look to recruit after that.’’
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