Player Watch #28 Will Edwards

[giantsully]

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.

Take back my interpretation, you were quite correct. And you're also right that he needs to be counselled to avoid future such acts for his own and others' sake.

 

[72 years a slave]

Great story this one and seems a lovely kid. Early days yet, but his combination of size, power and speed, paired with what appears to be an appetite for hard work and willingness to persevere, bodes very well for the future - his and ours. He doesn’t need to bite off too much at this point, he just needs to defend, support and make his presence felt physically. Those around him can do the fancy rebounding stuff until he’s more settled and confident at the level. Being able to kick like a mule is also handy from deep in the backline.

 

[Nuggetz]

I like that he throws his weight around

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

Watching the highlights, he is still very raw - but you can see how it can all come together with time. A bit of LRT in his endeavour (different style of player granted).

I like that he plays within himself. He knows his limitations. He can get more expansive as he adds more strings to his bow.

 

[Nuggetz]

He's a man mountain. I think we desperately needed someone like him. A physical presence in our backline & thankfully athletic for his size.

 

[bedford]

He's a man mountain. I think we desperately needed someone like him. A physical presence in our backline & thankfully athletic for his size.

Ken Hinkley gave him a pump up tonight

 

[DeathlyAccurate]

Silver lining is he is about to get a pretty decent opportunity to make it very hard to drop him.

 

[Swansujelly]

Dropped his first mar, and looked shaky early, but warmed to the task. For a first game he was pretty good. Probably lucky he didn't get sanctioned for the Naughton clash. His spot to lose now I guess.

 

[Wheresbuddy]

He's a man mountain. I think we desperately needed someone like him. A physical presence in our backline & thankfully athletic for his size.

Hence why we went after Ben McKay. Thank God we didnt get him - he would have to be up there as one of the most insipid players in the league. Will already looks better.

 

[bedford]

Hence why we went after Ben McKay. Thank God we didnt get him - he would have to be up there as one of the most insipid players in the league. Will already looks better.

McKay is an absolute spud

 

[Wheresbuddy]

McKay is an absolute spud

I think we were offering around 850-900 k on a multi year deal.

 

[Jewelsbon]

I think we were offering around 850-900 k on a multi year deal.

Talk about dodged a bullet....

 

[monopoly19]

Imagine it’s your second game and you find yourself marking Max Gawn

11

Max Gawn

Age

34

Ht

209cm

Wt

110kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.1

4star

K

7.4

3star

HB

6.7

4star

CL

2.8

4star

HO

35.3

5star

D

18.5

4star

K

11.5

4star

HB

7.0

4star

CL

3.5

4star

HO

29.2

5star

D

8.4

3star

K

3.6

2star

HB

4.8

4star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

15.6

5star

…

Made a few mistakes but did alright all things considered. And he is monster sized in person. Huge.

 

[Wheresbuddy]

Imagine it’s your second game and you find yourself marking Max Gawn…

Made a few mistakes but did alright all things considered. And he is monster sized in person. Huge.

Great fend off against a Dees opponent in the 4th.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Talk about dodged a bullet....

It was at a time we were desperate for a KPD luckily as you would call it a bullet well dodged.

 

[the hypnotoad]

Imagine it’s your second game and you find yourself marking Max Gawn…

Made a few mistakes but did alright all things considered. And he is monster sized in person. Huge.

great learning experience ...

 

[rustycrate]

I love watching him play.
Flies for marks.
Handballs like a mid.
Booming kick.
Chases and harasses.
Has speed for a big fella.
Throws his weight around.
What's not to like?

 

[Kiama Chris]

I love watching him play.
Flies for marks.
Handballs like a mid.
Booming kick.
Chases and harasses.
Has speed for a big fella.
Throws his weight around.
What's not to like?

At least one more week, perhaps two, until McCartin is back. I'd leave him in until then. Probably send him back with things to work on after that, for a while at least. Also nice that Hamling played a very sound game in Ressies as well. Snell not a mile off it either.
Best shape we've been in for a while.

 

[the hypnotoad]

I love watching him play.
Flies for marks.
Handballs like a mid.
Booming kick.
Chases and harasses.
Has speed for a big fella.
Throws his weight around.
What's not to like?

he plays with confidence in that he backs himself to make plays, he seemed very self-assured, not overawed at all ...

 

[McRobie]

Big ups on this kid. He looked awesome for a second gamer.
Really agile for 197cm but can use that strength as well.

 

[Callipygian]

Love his size, speed and physicality. Plus he has so much upside. Time will tell what kind of footy IQ he has but wherever it is it will hopefully develop and improve.

Maybe the pre-season before last I had a bit of a chat to him about what he was working on about his game and he described his lockdown defending as his 1-wood but said he had been working on being more aggressive in his positioning and with his rebounding. I think his disposal has been pretty good in his first two games (albeit with some turnovers) but also some neat disposals and some booming kicks. If he can be a long term player he will be a huge boon for the club and a great ambassador for our Academy (even more than he already is).

 

[SydneyBlood]

Question for those of you who have watched a fair bit of Edwards at VFL level. Has he ever played any portions of games at the ruck position in the VFL?

Just looking ahead and pondering he if might have the ability to fill in there for short stints like say Amartey is doing, or in case of injury during games. All assuming he becomes somewhat of a regular in the side that is. Could be a good little insurance policy if he has played some ruck in the past.

 

[rustycrate]

I just love this big lump.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Question for those of you who have watched a fair bit of Edwards at VFL level. Has he ever played any portions of games at the ruck position in the VFL?

Just looking ahead and pondering he if might have the ability to fill in there for short stints like say Amartey is doing, or in case of injury during games. All assuming he becomes somewhat of a regular in the side that is. Could be a good little insurance policy if he has played some ruck in the past.

He did at junior level but not at VFL to the best of my knowledge. Also played forward in his first senior game in a preseason.

 

[Neverwas]

Question for those of you who have watched a fair bit of Edwards at VFL level. Has he ever played any portions of games at the ruck position in the VFL?

Just looking ahead and pondering he if might have the ability to fill in there for short stints like say Amartey is doing, or in case of injury during games. All assuming he becomes somewhat of a regular in the side that is. Could be a good little insurance policy if he has played some ruck in the past.

Yes he has. He has a fantastic leap and would probably do better than Amartey in the ruck. He was used there early on but has since been favoured at full back.