Player Watch #28 Will Edwards

[caesar88]

He could still be anything, including a bust, but geez based on his first three games he just has everything you could want and need in a defender in the current game.

Quick and pro-active, always seems ready for that quick turnover ball which I guess is always a risk with the way we play.

But then he's hard and physical too, doesn't wanna just be flashy and fly across for intercept marks as much as he wants to make his opponent earn it and get good old-fashioned spoils in.

 

[the hypnotoad]

He could still be anything, including a bust, but geez based on his first three games he just has everything you could want and need in a defender in the current game.

Quick and pro-active, always seems ready for that quick turnover ball which I guess is always a risk with the way we play.

But then he's hard and physical too, doesn't wanna just be flashy and fly across for intercept marks as much as he wants to make his opponent earn it and get good old-fashioned spoils in.

and surely thanks to edwards we at least didn't sign ben mckay

 

[dosser]

and surely thanks to edwards we at least we didn't sign ben mckay

Bullet dodged. And what a bullet!

 

[DeathlyAccurate]

I’m a bit astonished by this. As someone who doesn’t follow the academy and/or reserves as closely as others around here, I was completely caught off guard by him.

Suddenly we have this big unit in defense who just immediately looks like he belongs?

 

[Kiama Chris]

I’m a bit astonished by this. As someone who doesn’t follow the academy and/or reserves as closely as others around here, I was completely caught off guard by him.

Suddenly we have this big unit in defense who just immediately looks like he belongs?

I saw him play his first senior game in a preseason in his first year. He played forward and took a nice mark. Not a lot of minutes but showed enough to be interesting. Since then he's spent a lot of time injured. I for one have marked him down as a real hope. Certain I'm not alone! He was looking damn good in the preseason. Suddenly? As you acknowledge. Next surprise will probably be Chamberlain.

 

[Ticky009]

I’m a bit astonished by this. As someone who doesn’t follow the academy and/or reserves as closely as others around here, I was completely caught off guard by him.

Suddenly we have this big unit in defense who just immediately looks like he belongs?

Some of us have been tracking him for a long while. He hasn't had much luck with injuries recently and that impacted his form.

Having said that its provided the opportunity to grow into his physicality. He's 23 now and seems to know how to use it without being silly about it.

 

[bedford]

Some of us have been tracking him for a long while. He hasn't had much luck with injuries recently and that impacted his form.

Having said that its provided the opportunity to grow into his physicality. He's 23 now and seems to know how to use it without being silly about it.

He's going to cause some damage , wow in the 70/80s

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

Some of us have been tracking him for a long while. He hasn't had much luck with injuries recently and that impacted his form.

Having said that its provided the opportunity to grow into his physicality. He's 23 now and seems to know how to use it without being silly about it.

Should Big Will be worried Ticks ?

 

[Nuggetz]

I saw him play his first senior game in a preseason in his first year. He played forward and took a nice mark. Not a lot of minutes but showed enough to be interesting. Since then he's spent a lot of time injured. I for one have marked him down as a real hope. Certain I'm not alone! He was looking damn good in the preseason. Suddenly? As you acknowledge. Next surprise will probably be Chamberlain.

You knew early on mate, sold me on him too. He's got great footy IQ with good skills, size & mobility. Perfect compliment to our defence. I like that he's always smiling too, seems to enjoy playing footy.

 

[Nuggetz]

Some of us have been tracking him for a long while. He hasn't had much luck with injuries recently and that impacted his form.

Having said that its provided the opportunity to grow into his physicality. He's 23 now and seems to know how to use it without being silly about it.

That's a very good point, he'll give away the odd free kick because of his size & physicality but it's worth it imo.

 

[Bonz]

Should Big Will be worried Ticks ?

I think he should be flattered.

 

[joeykanga]

I saw him play his first senior game in a preseason in his first year. He played forward and took a nice mark. Not a lot of minutes but showed enough to be interesting. Since then he's spent a lot of time injured. I for one have marked him down as a real hope. Certain I'm not alone! He was looking damn good in the preseason. Suddenly? As you acknowledge. Next surprise will probably be Chamberlain.

Chamberlain has already been the biggest pleasant surprise. And more to come from him. I also would love to see Bowman and Snell debuting soon

 

[Dan87]

Melican is supposed to perform that role but seems a bit off at the moment.

Melican has always been a compromise solution. He lacks clear strengths and is just good enough imo

Edwards offers a lot more and I think we're going to give it every chance

 

[Callipygian]

Melican has always been a compromise solution. He lacks clear strengths and is just good enough imo

Edwards offers a lot more and I think we're going to give it every chance

That is underselling Melican - his best has been excellent. He was our best key defender for stretches of 2025. However Edwards is a gorilla and that is a valuable point of difference. It's been super exciting to see him doing so well in the seniors. He looked like he might be getting close late last year, and again over the pre-season but it's very difficult to tell from outside the four walls. I certainly didn't foresee either his either selection when it happened, nor the way he has slotted in so smoothly. Happy days!

 

[bedford]

Chamberlain has already been the biggest pleasant surprise. And more to come from him. I also would love to see Bowman and Snell debuting soon

Bowman has hardly played

 

[bedford]

That is underselling Melican - his best has been excellent. He was our best key defender for stretches of 2025. However Edwards is a gorilla and that is a valuable point of difference. It's been super exciting to see him doing so well in the seniors. He looked like he might be getting close late last year, and again over the pre-season but it's very difficult to tell from outside the four walls. I certainly didn't foresee either his either selection when it happened, nor the way he has slotted in so smoothly. Happy days!

I just find it exciting

 

[Ticky009]

Should Big Will be worried Ticks ?

I love all our defenders...some a bit more than others

 

[Wheresbuddy]

That is underselling Melican - his best has been excellent. He was our best key defender for stretches of 2025. However Edwards is a gorilla and that is a valuable point of difference. It's been super exciting to see him doing so well in the seniors. He looked like he might be getting close late last year, and again over the pre-season but it's very difficult to tell from outside the four walls. I certainly didn't foresee either his either selection when it happened, nor the way he has slotted in so smoothly. Happy days!

I think Melican has done well overall despite being a bit undersized as a key defender. The issue is that if he's having an off day, then he gets monstered by more physical types, like what happened the other day. With the advent of Edwards, it may well be he becomes a third tall / general defender similar to a Ryan Lester (sorry for another Lions reference). May end up being the replacement for Sir Dane.

 

[Kiama Chris]

Chamberlain has already been the biggest pleasant surprise. And more to come from him. I also would love to see Bowman and Snell debuting soon

I think Snell is fairly close in terms of ability and form but Bowman is battling to get on the park. Both might have a problem getting a vacancy.

 

[bedford]

I think Snell is fairly close in terms of ability and form but Bowman is battling to get on the park. Both might have a problem getting a vacancy.

That's what i posted

 

[rustycrate]

That's what i posted

Congratulations.

 

[bedford]

Congratulations.

I appreciate that , just some things get rehashed

 

[Cadsky]

Conversely, he was kept on the list all through that time, so you could also say that the coaches have a good eye for talent.
Very few of those who were cut from the list have gone on to any great heights.

McAndrew the obvious exception

 

[Cadsky]

A horrific injury stopped a game in its tracks. A week later, a second player ended up in hospital

Sydney defender Will Edwards reflects on his long, winding journey to the AFL

www.afl.com.au

 

[MF]

Despite being bigger he actually seems to be a bit more agile that McCartin too. He's pretty quick to switch from an aerial contest to mopping up a loose ball on the ground or applying defensive pressure to the ball carrier that collects it.

It will be very exciting to see his career progress as he has all the tools to be a great defender.