Player Watch #28 Will Edwards

[Ticky009]

Nice to get some real height into the backline.

 

[DeathlyAccurate]

Nice to get some real height into the backline.

Yes! As much as I appreciate our stalwarts who have held it down over the years, it’ll be nice not to read any sort of "plays taller" type of comments about Will. He just IS tall and the type of unit we’ve been looking for.

 

[The King!]

There were times early when I thought he was one of the few applying pressure

 

[Wolfgang West]

There were times early when I thought he was one of the few applying pressure

After a few awkward efforts early and us still slightly under the pump he showed pretty good composure to get back to core basics of his game and didn’t look back. Further it went on better he got.

 

[legend166]

This guy has given me hope the club didn't accidentally misplace all the weightlifting equipment.

 

[the hypnotoad]

After a few awkward efforts early and us still slightly under the pump he showed pretty good composure to get back to core basics of his game and didn’t look back. Further it went on better he got.

that's what really impressed me ... he didn't start well, and could easily have gone to water, but he did exactly the opposite, just kept at it, got involved every chance he got, even just providing a physical presence in contests, and absolutely got better, more confident as the game went on
the jostling and chasing in one passage, to get a handball to wicks, who duffed it, was just relentless effort

 

[Wolfgang West]

that's what really impressed me ... he didn't start well, and could easily have gone to water, but he did exactly the opposite, just kept at it, got involved every chance he got, even just providing a physical presence in contests, and absolutely got better, more confident as the game went on
the jostling and chasing in one passage, to get a handball to wicks, who duffed it, was just relentless effort

Yep I was really impressed with his eagerness to get involved in chains of play as well. He looks a big bodied defender who is not going to anchor himself deep and just contest. Looks eager to run create and for a bloke his size that’s a bonus.

 

[liz]

This guy has given me hope the club didn't accidentally misplace all the weightlifting equipment.

I suspect he’s more likely to fall into the JPK category of being banned from the weights room. He was a similar size when he played with our VFL/Neafl teams before he was drafted.

 

[liz]

that's what really impressed me ... he didn't start well, and could easily have gone to water, but he did exactly the opposite, just kept at it, got involved every chance he got, even just providing a physical presence in contests, and absolutely got better, more confident as the game went on
the jostling and chasing in one passage, to get a handball to wicks, who duffed it, was just relentless effort

He laid a bone crunching tackle partway through the first quarter, which was his first really important contribution. From that point onwards he seemed to settle and all elements of his game fell into place.

 

[bedford]

Watch it again, it was clumsy. I sucked in breath at the time. Ed is lucky if he dosen't get sanctioned. I have a feeling he might..MRO stuff.

RUOK

 

[bedford]

Glad you mentioned that Mr B about the shepherds. I seen him do it 3 times where he put his body between his opponent and a teammate trying to gather at ground level. Serious arching the back using his core planting the feet and spreading his wingspan not some token limp arm effort. Very astute pick up that some wouldn’t have noticed to add to his impressive debut. One game but I will call it now. We have a player. Size, tough, competitive, good hands and nice defensive anticipation in the contest.

Mister B is one of the best

 

[Kiama Chris]

One thing I'll add that I haven't seen anyone mention.

It was Edwards who was running directly into the pack that resulted in Naughton's awful fall. Dunno how it wasn't a free kick TBH. If you take a look at the footage, I'd say it's pretty reckless and dangerous by Edwards. I hope the coaches have a word to him about how to better manage himself there because that had the potential to cause a catastrophic injury.

Since been assessed by the MRO as not requiring any action.

 

[bedford]

Yep I was really impressed with his eagerness to get involved in chains of play as well. He looks a big bodied defender who is not going to anchor himself deep and just contest. Looks eager to run create and for a bloke his size that’s a bonus.

For the ressies watches he's been like this in the ressies

 

[Voula]

One thing I'll add that I haven't seen anyone mention.

It was Edwards who was running directly into the pack that resulted in Naughton's awful fall. Dunno how it wasn't a free kick TBH. If you take a look at the footage, I'd say it's pretty reckless and dangerous by Edwards. I hope the coaches have a word to him about how to better manage himself there because that had the potential to cause a catastrophic injury.

On SEN this morning they were trying to get him rubbed out, including the talkback callers. I was concerned because I'd only seen a couple of replays and didn't notice Edwards, as I was too busy concentrating on Naughton.

The MRO thought differently...

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1503686

The incident involving the Sydney Swans’ Will Edwards and the Western Bulldogs’ Aaron Naughton from the Third Quarter of Thursday night’s match was assessed by the Match Review Officer. As the ball is kicked towards the Western Bulldogs’ goal, Edwards keeps his eyes on the ball and runs back with the flight looking to contest the mark. Edwards then checks his positioning before refocusing his eyes back on the ball. Realising he is going to arrive late to the contest, Edwards slows his momentum and attempts to minimise contact. The result is he makes body contact to Naughton as Naughton jumps for the mark, which causes Naughton to land awkwardly. It was the view of the MRO that Edwards’ actions were not unreasonable in the circumstances. No further action was taken.

 

[KTT]

I suspect he’s more likely to fall into the JPK category of being banned from the weights room. He was a similar size when he played with our VFL/Neafl teams before he was drafted.

It was the last year that they gave player weights..
197cm; 100kg
He also ran the 20m sprint in well under 3sec. (either 2.86 or 2.79,, cant exactly remember)
Hes a big fella, and fast!
Great to see him get his body going - Seems like that Expert from America who worked with Edwards, Logan, Paps and Amartey knew what he was doing

 

[caesar88]

Random observation but I was surprised neither Rampe or McCartin presented Edwards with his guernsey. I'm assuming they both would've been instrumental in his development as a young key defender and would think more than anyone else they would've seen his journey first-hand.

 

[momentbymoment]

Feel good story of the season so far.
A season that already has a lot of feel good stories …

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Great debut, albeit against a depleted opposition. Regardless, he deserves another couple of games at least to consolidate his spot. 197cm tall defenders who are built like a brick out house that can move at a decent clip and kick the ball 60m + dont grow on trees. So if he can develop into a solid first team player, it only makes us better.

I see alot of Jack Payne in Edwards - similar back story as well as the attributes. Payne allows Andrews to peel off,intercept and dominate the air which hopefully, Edwards will allow McCartin to do.

 

[MF]

This guy has given me hope the club didn't accidentally misplace all the weightlifting equipment.

Seeing him standing next to McCartin at the game it was scary how big this guy is.

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Seeing him standing next to McCartin at the game it was scary how big this guy is.

Kids built like Edwards generally get snapped up by either rugby code in Sydney. Suspect he goes no where near an AFL list if not for our Academy.

 

[Kbroome]

Kids built like Edwards generally get snapped up by either rugby code in Sydney. Suspect he goes no where near an AFL list if not for our Academy.

Basketball background, believe he has the rebounds record in GPS basketball

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Basketball background, believe he has the rebounds record in GPS basketball

He would be an immovable structure inside the paint.

 

[Kbroome]

He would be an immovable structure inside the paint.

Offensive boards for fun is what I have heard, couldn't finish his dinner that well though

 

[Mister B]

Mister B is one of the best

Thanks mate. Always appreciate some positive feedback.

 

[Mister B]

On SEN this morning they were trying to get him rubbed out, including the talkback callers. I was concerned because I'd only seen a couple of replays and didn't notice Edwards, as I was too busy concentrating on Naughton.

The MRO thought differently...

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1503686

The incident involving the Sydney Swans’ Will Edwards and the Western Bulldogs’ Aaron Naughton from the Third Quarter of Thursday night’s match was assessed by the Match Review Officer. As the ball is kicked towards the Western Bulldogs’ goal, Edwards keeps his eyes on the ball and runs back with the flight looking to contest the mark. Edwards then checks his positioning before refocusing his eyes back on the ball. Realising he is going to arrive late to the contest, Edwards slows his momentum and attempts to minimise contact. The result is he makes body contact to Naughton as Naughton jumps for the mark, which causes Naughton to land awkwardly. It was the view of the MRO that Edwards’ actions were not unreasonable in the circumstances. No further action was taken.

You can always tell when we are going well. Commentators and fans alike begin to beg for our players to be rubbed out for nothing while also bemoaning the game being soft.