MPNFL: Pines to mount vigorous recruiting campaign

The Pythons are set to go all out for ex-AFL and VFL recruits as coach Paddy Swayn plots a return to MPNFL finals in 2022.

Pines coach Paddy Swayn. Picture: Chris Eastman

Pines coach Paddy Swayn says the Pythons won’t be mucking around when it comes to recruiting.

“We are looking for ex-AFL, ex-VFL good players and people,’’ he says.

“And we are prepared to do what we’ve got to do to get those type of guys.’’

Pines, after winning the 2018 MPNFL Division 1 premiership and then contesting the semi-finals in ‘19, are currently sitting second last on the ladder this season.

It’s been a testing season for the green and red but Swayn believes the Pythons’ talented crop of young players can lead the club back up the ladder, and recruits will help.

“We’ll be looking to keep developing the young ones we’ve got who’ve played a lot of senior footy this year, and then obviously recruit,’’ he says.

Pines have many talented youngsters.

Swayn said the club would target specific players.

“We definitely need another onballer and a key forward, they are the main targets,’’ he said.

Pines has won two games this season and Swayn says it’s been a learning curve for his side.

“It is a bit of a rebuild really, when you look at who we had,’’ he says.

“We had those guys over 30 in 2019 and now we’re in that rebuild type phase but we want to bounce back in 2022.’’

Swayn signed a three-year contract extension at the end of the 2019 season that will see him coach to the end of 2022.

He is already Pines’ longest serving coach.

Swayn has had two stints as Pythons coach — in 2008-09, and from 2015 to currently.