Ex-AFL man Aaron Edwards kicks six goals on debut for Pines in Peninsula league

FORMER Kangaroo and Tiger Aaron Edwards is best-afield as Pines defeats Seaford, and ex-Saint Steve Milne kicks three goals in cameo outing for Tyabb

Former AFL and VFL player Scott Simpson on the burst for Somerville against Tyabb. Picture: Derrick den Hollander

“PINES best players: A Edwards.’’

There is little doubt the Sports Pulse results will carry that name quite a few times this season.

Former North Melbourne and Richmond forward Aaron Edwards was quick to put his stamp on the Peninsula league, leading the Pythons to a 29-point victory over Seaford at Eric Bell Reserve on Saturday.

The high-leaping forward kicked six goals from 11 scoring shots and was at his most dominant when Pines flattened their visitors with an eight-goal second quarter.

“We really dropped away through the midfield at certain stages and the delivery going forward to Edwards, you couldn’t do too much about it,’’ Seaford coach Benny Crowe said.

“Our backs battled pretty well all day but when you’ve got a bloke like Aaron Edwards running around it’s a big job.’’

The Pythons’ other notable recruit, former Frankston Dolphins top-liner Luke Potts, was among the best in his return to his junior club.

“Good to get the four points and still have things to work on. That’s what I was most pleased about,’’ Pines coach Paddy Swayn said.

“Aaron was lively. Kicked 6.5 and tried to give a few off when he should have had a shot. He played really well. The boys got the ball in nice and quick to him. He played high and he had a bit of time in the midfield.’’

Aaron Edwards enjoying his debut for Pines.

Ruckman Taylor Strahan had a handy debut and a lighter Brenton Cowell did well in the midfield.

Crowe was pleased his Tigers hit back in the third quarter to be 20 points adrift at the last change.

“It was over pretty much at half time but we fought it out to the end, which we wouldn’t have done last year,’’ he said.

“I was reasonably happy. Pines will be a top-five team this year without fail. We’re aiming to get there too. I don’t think we’re there yet — we’ve still got a long way to go in terms of refining our game plan — but we’re on the right track. The endeavour is there.’’

Midfielders Crowe and Dean Williamson, back with the Tigers club after a decorated stint at East Brighton, did best for Seaford.

Pines took $8000 on the gate, proving the pulling power of Edwards.

Edithvale-Aspendale made a cracking start under new coach Graeme Yeats, crunching Bonbeach by 85 points at Regent Park on Good Friday.

In Nepean league, former St Kilda star Stevie Milne kicked three goals in his once-off appearance for Tyabb against Somerville at Bunguyan Reserve.

But Somie broke free after half time to win by 39 points.

Seaford signing Tom Shaw, set for a profitable season on the bigger Nepean grounds, was best-afield with eight goals.

New Tyabb coach Clint Lovell lamented first-half injuries to ruckman Ben Jacobsen and forward Tyson Sparkes.

“That really hurt our rotations,’’ he said.

“But our boys kept at it. It could have easily blown out to a 10-goal game.

“We’ve done a lot of work and we’ll do a lot more ... I reckon the outlook for Tyabb footy club this year is really good.’’

Former AFL and VFL player Scott Simpson on the burst for Somerville against Tyabb. Picture: Derrick den Hollander

As for Milne, Lovell said: “He was good. He set the standard for the rest of the forwards in terms of defensive work rate. His input into the club in the last couple of weeks has been excellent.’’

It was a good Friday indeed for Rye and its group of vaunted Vermont recruits.

The Demons began a season that promises much with a 19-point victory over their fierce rival Rosebud at RJ Rowley Reserve.

Before a Good Friday crowd that topped 5500 by the gate count, former Vermont stars Nathan Henley and Kris Bardon both collected more than 30 possessions.

Ryan Mullett, who was overseas and missed the practice matches, had 25. And defender Dean Millhouse was a stop-sign when Rosebud drove forward, taking a bag of intercept marks.

Another former Vermont player, the less heralded Adrian Gileno, who played at Mooroolbark last year, found enough breathing space from opponent Sebastian Krumeich to bob up with four goals.

Ex-Saint Steve Milne marks for Tyabb. Picture: Derrick den Hollander

“All the boys we brought in certainly played their roles. It was very pleasing,’’ Demons coach Josh Moore said.

“There was a massive build-up to the game and it was good to get the win. We don’t play Rosebud again so it was massive.’’

While the spotlight fell on the Vermont recruits, Moore praised another first-gamer, tall Harrison Wilson, who kicked two goals.

Harrison played a handful of Under 18 games last year.

“He’s close to 200cm and he’s really exciting,’’ Moore said.

“With his stretch he’s pretty hard to stop. He’s only going to improve week by week. It’s scary to think what he might be like by the end of the season.’’

Moore said Rosebud was a worthy opponent and he was sure it would prove itself a finals team.

“They’ve got genuine A-graders in their midfield. Their forwards were down but when they’re up and firing they’ll be very dangerous.’’

Former Port Melbourne forward Myles Pitt kicked five goals in Sorrento’s 28-point victory over Dromana.

Another former VFL player, James Hallahan, booted four after the Sorras had unfurled their 2014 flag.

Jarrod Buchan celebrates slotting a goal for Tyabb. Picture: Derrick den Hollander