Talented Richmond small forward/midfielder Shane Edwards automatically qualifies for life membership of the Club, when he reaches the 150-game milestone in next Sunday’s twilight clash with St Kilda at the MCG.

Edwards was Richmond’s second selection (No. 26 overall) in the 2006 National Draft, having been recruited from SANFL club North Adelaide.

He made his senior debut with the Tigers in Round 4, 2007, against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG, and played 16 games all-up that season, in an encouraging start to his AFL career.

A further 16 games came Edwards’ way in 2008, as he continued to show promise as a small forward, capable of running through the midfield.

The 2009 season saw Edwards suffer a slight slip in form, and he managed only 15 senior appearances that year.

But since the arrival of Damien Hardwick as Richmond’s coach at the end of 2009, Edwards has cemented himself as a permanent, valuable member of the Tigers’ line-up.

He has played 102 of a possible 109 games under Hardwick’s coaching guidance, and kicked 72 goals during this period.

Edwards’ best season’s goal tally is 29, in 2012, but he’s not far away from that this year, with 21 goals from his 20 games.

The 25-year-old (he turns 26 in late October) has been in career-best from throughout Richmond’s revival over the past couple of months.

He’s averaged 20 disposals and 11 contested possessions per match in the Tigers’ seven-game winning streak, and booted eight goals.

The ability of Edwards to create space, and set teammates up with quick, slick ball use, has been a decided asset for the resurgent Tigers.