Maurice Rioli, understandably, is acknowledged as Richmond’s best-ever Indigenous player, given his dazzling on-field exploits throughout a 118-game career with the Tigers.
I reckon by the time Shane Edwards finishes his AFL career, however, he may well have taken that title from Rioli.
ROUND 21 Upgrade to a reserved seat or buy your tickets at ticketek.com.au
Edwards will become the 250th player in AFL/VFL history to reach the 250-game milestone, when he lines up for Richmond against Carlton at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
Given he’s only 30 years of age, and is continuing to play top-class football, I think, barring serious injury, he will go comfortably beyond the 300-game mark.
And, if he does that, the case for Edwards to be acclaimed the Tigers’ all-time best Indigenous player, because of his longevity and sustained excellence, will be compelling.
Edwards is averaging an AFL career-high 21.2 disposals per match this season, and he’s coming off a career-high 31 disposals against Melbourne last Saturday night.
He earned an inaugural All Australian blazer last year and in 2017 played a pivotal role in Richmond’s glorious, drought-breaking premiership.
It was a typically self-effacing Edwards, who spoke about his 250-game milestone.
DONATE NOW Donate to the Alannah & Madeline Foundation and help stop online bullying
“It’s crept up really quickly . . . It’s gone so fast and I couldn’t really imagine that. When you lay out 250 games, that’s heaps,” Edwards told Channel Seven.
“It actually sounds a bit tiring, to be honest.
“I’m so rapt to be part of such a good footy club.”
