Richmond star Brett Deledio has paid tribute to teammate Shane Edwards, in the lead-up to the talented former South Australian playing his 150^th game of AFL football.

Edwards, who was recruited by the Tigers from SANFL club North Adelaide, will achieve the significant milestone in Sunday’s Round 22 twilight clash with St Kilda at the MCG.

“’Shedda’ never ceases to amaze me,” Deledio said on this week’s edition of ‘Talking Tigers’.

“He has the ability to see people around him and flick off a handball, when you think he’s in real trouble, or sidestep someone . . . his sidestep’s as good as any in the game.

“And, he gets free inside 50 so often, just through his work-rate.  He’s not always the loudest bloke out there, so doesn’t get found all the time.

“I’m really rapt for him because he’s worked hard . . . he’s had his critics along the way, but he’s stuck at it.

“He’s not a guy that puts on weight easily, so he’s had to work really hard at that.  But he’s really disciplined with what he does in and around the Club, and away from the Club.”

Deledio also pointed to Edwards’ expertise around the stoppages . . .

“He just reads it so well off the hands,” Deledio said.

“With his hands, he’s really getting more and more confidence with holding on to the ball for longer and drawing a person and giving it off.

“He’s also as courageous as they come, Shedda.  He’ll go back with the flight (of the ball) and put his body on the line.

“He’s one of the better tacklers we’ve got in our side, too.  And, he can take a huge grab and hit the scoreboard.

“Being a life member is a great achievement for him, and something that he’ll look back on when he’s finished and be really proud of.”