The Saints stunned the league when they named the former GWS and Essendon half-back on Thursday night.

The Essendon VFL player nominated Myrtleford as his 'home' club after playing with popular Saints' coach Jake Sharp at Werribee last year.

However, it was considered unlikely Aylett would spend any time with the Saints, given his standing at State level.

"It's huge for us, a quality player like he is," an excited Sharp said.

"He's coming back from a calf injury. He got back to a point where he was nearly right and had a re-tweak so they just decided to take a really cautious approach with him.

"He'll be on reduced game time, which probably helps the fact as to why we've got him.

"We're rapt, absolutely stoked to have him and his leadership will be great for our young guys."

Sharp spent five years at Werribee, including the last three in the leadership group.

When he was named as Myrtleford's youngest ever coach last August, another former Werribee team-mate in Nick Meredith labelled him "a great leader".

Saints' officials will naturally be hoping Sharp's popularity and appeal will reap some VFL players in his second and third years.

Of course, Aylett's time at the club will be limited, depending on how quickly he recovers after missing almost two months with the injury.

Myrtleford will be out to impress the Bomber, with an eye to targeting the 27-year-old if he decides to retire from VFL in the coming years.

But the Saints immediate focus is an improved showing against the Panthers.

The long-time battlers stunned the competition by racing to six straight wins, but fell from first to fourth after Albury's 77-point hiding.

The Saints kicked one goal after the four-minute mark of the second term.