AFL Player 45: Tom Edwards - Confirmed ACL, season done. Re-signed for 2026 - 21/4

[Beerfish]

He's going to be the greatest 45 ever seen.

 

[Beerfish]

I'm not convinced we should be automatically re-signing him. Yes he's unlucky but still

Is that because you're a shrewd operator or an arseh*le?

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

That's some serious bad luck.

What a rollercoaster ride for this bloke

 

[eth-dog]

Is that because you're a shrewd operator or an arseh*le?

Bit of column a, bit of column b

 

[Bipolar Bear]

Re-sign him, show some love. Messiah will rise again.

 

[faible]

Well the report does say "The Bombers will sit down to discuss a likely deal for 2026 once the 24-year-old undergoes the knee reconstruction and the dust settles." so I guess we're all pretty much on the same page?

It's usually like a month after surgery before they know if it was successful and didn't have any complications or whatever, and after that you start rehab? I'd say if he gets through the post-surgical period and is diligent in his rehab then that's when you'll get the club talking to his manager about a potential extension.

From a list management POV probably there are others in the forward line who are closer to the chopping block based on attitude and attributes so perhaps he isn't the one that ends up waiting until after the draft for a life line. And also he's a rookie so he's not making space on the main list either.

Got a decent number of guys in-line for being delisted by the end of the season, don't think we'll be overly tight on list spots.

 

[Duckworth]

Got a decent number of guys in-line for being delisted by the end of the season, don't think we'll be overly tight on list spots.

So at least 4 of the following (not bold) will go, maybe all.
Bryan, Davey Jr, Draper, Goldstein, Hobbs, Jones, Laverde, Lual, Reid, Setterfield, Shiel.

 

[jannissary]

So at least 4 of the following (not bold) will go, maybe all.
Bryan, Davey Jr, Draper, Goldstein, Hobbs, Jones, Laverde, Lual, Reid, Setterfield, Shiel.

while i agree in principal for laverde going, the fact of the matter is is that we do need some depth players at either end of the ground to provide an option for injury - let's face it, edwards going down is trouble if langford isn't fit in time.

 

[Vindicater]

I understand wanting to re-sign him but as brutal as it is I would not. 24 and coming off an ACL when he was already behind in terms of fitness.

If we do though that is fine but I would not be rushing to do so.

 

[faible]

while i agree in principal for laverde going, the fact of the matter is is that we do need some depth players at either end of the ground to provide an option for injury - let's face it, edwards going down is trouble if langford isn't fit in time.

Laverde looked pretty physically cooked last season, maybe a season rolling around mostly in the VFL will extend his career but I doubt it. He's been a warrior but think he's reached the end.

More likely we hang on to Hayes and rely on McKay / Reid / Hayes for KPDs

 

[thebigboy]

Laverde looked pretty physically cooked last season, maybe a season rolling around mostly in the VFL will extend his career but I doubt it. He's been a warrior but think he's reached the end.

More likely we hang on to Hayes and rely on McKay / Reid / Hayes for KPDs

Agree, think he’s finished, but Laverde feels like the type of guy another club will look to sign thinking he can do more than he can. I can see a Carlton taking a chance on him

 

[faible]

Agree, think he’s finished, but Laverde feels like the type of guy another club will look to sign thinking he can do more than he can. I can see a Carlton taking a chance on him

Carlton sticking with Voss and trying to trade in Laverde would be excellent.

I don't wish that pain on Laverde though.

 

[Bombers36]

Where art though great Messiah
Its been two weeks and no updates on the process of mending your heavenly knee
We promise not to worship false idols in your absence
We trust that you will rise to greatness again
But we'd like a sign - we need some faith to hold onto
Please oh great Messiah - give us a sign...

 

[ant555]

 

[ant555]

Looks like he will get another rookie deal.

 

[fairbump_playon]

Is that because you're a shrewd operator or an arseh*le?

One can be both

 

[Beerfish]

One can be both

The correct answer was 'yes'.

 

[thebigboy]

Edwards Signs on for 2026​

Exciting forward to don the sash in 2026
By essendonfc.com.au
1 hr ago

Tom Edwards has signed a one-year contract extension with Essendon, which will see him in the red and black for season 2026.
From lighting it up in the Clubs intraclub match, to a strong performance in the unofficial practice match against the Western Bulldogs, the 24-year-old from Western Australia was quickly signed on as an SSP selection, making his childhood dreams of playing for the Essendon Football Club become a reality.
The agile forward with a keen eye for goals made his AFL debut in Round Two vs. Adelaide Crows at the MCG. Once first bounce took place, it was his attack on the footy and smart movements inside 50 that made the forward stand out. He executed a neat set shot to record his debut goal, and finished with three goals in total, showcasing a promising start to his AFL career.

02:03
Mar 24 2025

Edwards lives out his AFL dream​

Go behind the scenes as Tom Edwards makes his unforgettable AFL debut in front of his family.
The one-year contract extension has been welcomed news for Edwards, as he unfortunately ruptured his ACL in a main training session in early April, leaving him to miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
“I’m excited to get back out there in 2026. As devastating as my injury is, the one-year contract extension has made me hungry to recover and execute my rehab to the best of my ability. Once my body is ready, I want to get to work and prepare for a big season in 2026,” Edwards said.
Matt Rosa, General Manager of List and Recruiting, is looking forward to Edwards' continued development in the coming 18 months.
“We are all excited to see Tom back bigger and better in 2026. He is a smart player who can have a big impact on games, so we are thrilled to have him on-board next year. He proved a strong eagerness to grow and develop, and we can’t wait to see him progress when his body is ready to go again,” Rosa said.

 

[eth-dog]

Hmm. Think that's a hasty decision

 

[MiguelM]

Hmm. Think that's a hasty decision

I don't mind it. We didn't sell the farm, just 1 year.

Tbh, I thought he needed more vfl game time. He was thrown in the deep end when I don't think he was quite ready physically.

 

[eth-dog]

I don't mind it. We didn't sell the farm, just 1 year.

Tbh, I thought he needed more vfl game time. He was thrown in the deep end when I don't think he was quite ready physically.

List spots will be tight. He's coming from a long way back fitness wise and he'll be 26 by the time he plays again. This is a quintessential Dodoro type move.

 

[Lore]

List spots will be tight. He's coming from a long way back fitness wise and he'll be 26 by the time he plays again. This is a quintessential Dodoro type move.

Why would rookie list spots be tight?

 

[eth-dog]

Why would rookie list spots be tight?

List spots in general are tight. As far as the rookie list goes we already have SEH, Visentini, Edwards (now confirmed) and ADW all a good chance of being there next year. Then you likely have a couple of MSD picks, bam there's 6 for next year and we're at capacity unless someone gets delisted or upgraded at the ND.

It's a hasty decision for a mature aged recruit whose fitness base is lower than most mature aged picks due to being coeliac, will be 26 before he plays AFL again and is coming off an ACL.

 

[yodellinhank]

... a mature aged recruit whose fitness base is lower than most mature aged picks due to being coeliac,

Delist

 

[jdstorm]

Is a good forward. Happy to give him an extra year and see what happens. There’s far more in front of him to be delisted

 

[ant555]

Personally I thought they could have waited until near the end of the season as they are now locked into a spot but I do not mind that they are backing their judgment on him.