We continue our special post-season series revealing the thoughts of Richmond’s latest premiership heroes on that wonderful one day in September 2019. Today, talented playmaker Shane Edwards has his say...
Captaining the Tigers at times in 2019
"The unfortunate events that had to take place for me to become captain for a month or two, was pretty scary…The support from all the leaders, especially Cotch (Trent Cotchin), throughout the week and even around game day, was amazing. I got the toss of the coin and I was the official captain, but it felt like we had about eight different captains on the day…I never once felt like I was doing it alone or I had to change anything I was doing. Cotch and Rancey (Alex Rance) and Jack (Riewoldt), they made me feel like I could do it. It’s (something) I’d never thought I’d be able to do. Everyone stepped up a little bit and took responsibility, and I know I’m much better off having done it."
The big game itself
"I remember halfway through the first quarter, I’d never felt more buggered before in a game, especially this year. There was a lot of heat on the ball and it was really fast, lots of contests, not much scoring so there wasn’t much break…It was pretty hectic and I know the score eventually blew out, but the first quarter was one of the hardest quarters I’ve played."
First sense that Richmond had secured the premiership
"After the first goal was kicked in the last quarter, I thought we were pretty safe then, but you never know. (So) you just try your best not to think about it, and as the quarter went on there were a few smiles out on the ground…when you went to the bench, you’d be nodding your head like 'I think we’ve got it'."
At the final siren
"I was at the centre bounce and didn’t know how many seconds were left. As soon as the siren went, we pretty much just collapsed onto Cotch…Myself, Nank (Toby Nankervis) and Dion (Prestia) ran over to him and (it was) stacks on in the middle."
Finishing runner-up in the 2019 Jack Dyer Medal
"I was very surprised, we had so many consistent contributors throughout the season, I never would have thought I’d get that high. Especially the seasons that Bachar (Houli), Dusty (Martin), Tigga (Nick Vlastuin) and obviously Dion had…I’m rapt that the coaches have given me a fair few votes this year. It’s something that I’ll remember forever, but at the same time I’m still pretty shocked."
