MPNFL: Sorrento tries to recruit former AFL midfielder

Sorrento has added a former AFL premiership player to its coaching panel and made a bid to recruit a former North Melbourne and Collingwood midfielder.

Levi Greenwood of the Magpies tackled by Gary Ablett and Gryan Miers of the Cats. Pic: Michael Klein

Sorrento has quashed rumours it tried to recruit Aaron Edwards, but the Sharks have made a bid for former North Melbourne and Collingwood midfielder Levi Greenwood.

Sorrento coach Leigh Poholke confirmed the approach to Greenwood, who has a house in Rye.

“We’ve spoken to Greenwood but unfortunately we weren’t able to work out a suitable way to get him across the line,’’ he said.

There was speculation former MPNFL great Edwards could be set to make a shock comeback to the competition after playing with St Kilda City, with Sorrento a possible destination.

But Poholke quickly poured cold water on the talk.

“Aaron, he’s a gun, but we haven’t made contact with him about playing at Sorrento,’’ he said.

Aaron Edwards kicks a goal for St Kilda City. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Edwards kicked 53 goals from 12 matches for St Kilda City, including bags of 10 against Oakleigh District and Mordialloc.

He played a lot of good football at Pines in the MPNFL after finishing a 94-game AFL career that began at West Coast in 2005.

Sorrento has secured the services of former Hawthorn and St Kilda player Russell Morris, who will be assistant coach of the Sharks’ under-19s.

Morris played 159 AFL games, including the Hawks 1986 premiership.

Russell Morris (right) holds up the premiership cup in 1986.

Former Old Trinity player Jono Cade will coach the Sharks’ under-19s.

Sorrento has also added new assistant coaches — former Boronia Park and Murrumbeena coach Dave Weinlich and Avondale Heights and Parkside player Fab Mastro.

They join Ryan Potter as assistants.

Potter, a Woodville-West Torrens SANFL premiership player, has been a Shark since 2015.

Born and bred Shark Brett Bishop has been appointed coach of Sorrento’s reserves.

Poholke said Sorrento was hot on the heels of several recruits.

“We’ve got to get the pencil sharp for these guys to sign the contract,’’ he said.

“It’s bloody tough not being able to catch up with recruits. Everyone wants to meet you, meet face to face.

“It’s really tricky.’’