Richmond has elevated 189cm VFLW ruck Alice Edmonds to its inaugural AFLW list.
Edmonds was named in the 2018 VFLW team of the year and has averaged 32 hit outs and 10 disposals across four games this season.
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The 21-year-old is the Club’s 11th AFLW signing, and the third VFLW Tiger to graduate to Richmond’s AFLW team.
“I’m absolute stoked, my excitement levels are through the roof,” Edmonds said.
“Looking at the other AFLW sides come through and seeing what they’ve done, and now (Richmond's) a part of it…it’s so historic.
“I have a lot to improve and develop, but to be able to train more and take (football) to the next level is really exciting.”
After joining Richmond’s VFLW team for its maiden season last year, the basketball convert has become a stalwart of the side.
She stepped up as Richmond VFLW’s number one ruckwoman this year and has delivered in spades.
In Round 3, she received the Aunty Pam Pedersen Trophy for best on ground in the VFLW Tigers’ Dreamtime win over Essendon.
While Edmonds had her eye on AFLW selection, she said it “definitely was a shock” when the moment came.
“It’s something I’ve been working towards…so for it to actually happen, it’s awesome,” she said.
“Being a part of (Richmond Women’s) from the start, it’s so special.
“It’s already an awesome group of girls that have been signed and I can’t wait to see who else comes on board.”
Edmonds was introduced to Richmond Head of Women’s Football, Kate Sheahan by an Albert Park based Dutch café owner in 2017.
“He said he had a friend who was 6’3 and athletic so I made a phone call and got her along to a training,” Sheahan said.
“Watching her improvement since then especially across the past three or four months has been extraordinary.
“Alice has developed her foot skills rapidly and now consistently takes contested marks and has a real presence around the ground.”
Edmonds joins fellow talls Courtney Wakefield and Sabrina Frederick on the AFLW list, with all three standing at above 180cm.
“We are all just so excited and happy for Alice, the girls absolutely love her,” Sheahan said.
Before arriving at Tigerland, Edmonds served in the Australian Defence Force in Townsville. When she returned home to Melbourne, she joined the Army Reserves, and has most recently enrolled in the Victoria Police Academy.
Edmonds considers herself fortunate to have developed her craft under the guidance of several experienced rucks, including Richmond CEO and VFLW ruck coach, Brendon Gale.
“It’s been so great to be able to develop in the ruck through the likes of Brendon Gale, Emma King (former VFLW Tiger) last year, and even Lauren Tesoriero (Richmond Women's recruiter/coach and VFLW Tiger),” Edmonds said.
“It’s been really great to be able to develop from those influential people and to be able to get tips off them is invaluable, I’m so grateful.”’
Confirmed Richmond AFLW players for 2020:
Katie Brennan
Phoebe Monahan
Iilish Ross
Maddy Brancatisano
Christina Bernardi
Sabrina Frederick
Monique Conti
Hannah Burchell
Courtney Wakefield
Tayla Stahl
Alice Edmonds
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