The importance of Shane Edwards to the Richmond line-up was highlighted at the Gabba last Saturday night, when he returned from a week’s absence through a calf injury to play a key role in the Tigers’ big victory over Brisbane.
Edwards, rotating through the forward line and midfield, had 26 disposals, including 12 contested possessions, three centre clearances and 10 score involvements in a performance that showed why he was so sorely missed by Richmond in the Round 2 clash with the Western Bulldogs.
“He’s crucial . . . he’s clean with the footy, he’s creative, but it’s his work-rate which is the thing that inspires the majority of our teammates,” Richmond captain Trent Cotchin said on 3AW.
Richmond and Melbourne will play in the first Anzac Day eve match this Friday night at the MCG
“Every time we have a review meeting, he’ll be in three or four examples, where he’s either pushed back to help the defence, or shown his ability to equalise in the front half, which is just outstanding.
“That’s what we want everyone to raise the bar to, so he’s setting the standard in that area.
“‘Titchy’ Edwards is just one of those guys you love being around.
“He does fly under the radar, certainly not within our four walls . . . I think in the AFL world he’s under-rated, but he’s starting to get recognition across the board, as he thoroughly deserves.”
Cotchin is convinced Edwards has the all-round skills set to become a first-rate midfielder in the competition.
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“I’d almost throw him in as someone who could take his game to a new level as a midfielder,” Cotchin said.
“The coaches have a lot of trust in him . . . he’s thrown into the centre bounce a lot because of how good he is at winning centre-bounce clearance, and he’s just one of those guys that you can trust that he’s going to perform week in, week out.
“That’s the level he’s got to. I think he’s 26, 27 now, and has been in the system for a long time. He was just trying to find that consistency, and last year he was rewarded with a top-five Best and Fairest finish.
“I think we’re going to see even bigger things this year, which is only exciting for our footy club.”
