If, as expected, veteran Richmond star Shane Edwards hands back the captaincy reins to Trent Cotchin for Friday night’s clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, he will do so having led the Tigers to six wins in his seven games as fill-in skipper.

Edwards has done an excellent job as Richmond’s captain since Cotchin injured his hamstring in the Round 3 loss to Greater Western Sydney at Giants Stadium.

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Not only has he maintained an impressively-high level of performance this season in a new role as a rebounding half-back (averaging 22.3 disposals per match), after winning All-Australian selection for the first time in 2018, he’s also managed to galvanise the undermanned Tigers’ team.

And Edwards has relished playing alongside the talented Tiger cubs who have come into the line-up this season and made their most of their opportunities.

“I love it. Having these new, young guys come in and play to their strengths it’s really inspirational, knowing the occasion and how much of their career they have left,” Edwards told 3AW.

“It’s just awesome . . . it definitely gives the older blokes a bit of a spark.

“Nothing’s more rewarding than seeing the young guys in the team show leadership and show fight because if they’re doing it, there’s no reason why you can’t be.”