The reverence in which triple Richmond premiership star Shane Edwards is held at Tigerland was encapsulated by his teammate Jack Graham following last Friday’s practice match against Melbourne at Casey Fields.
At 32 years of age, Edwards could well have been excused for cruising through the pre-season trial game and leaving it to younger team members to do the bulk of the work.
Edwards, however, was having none of that.
He was arguably Richmond’s best player in the narrow loss to the Demons, with his trademark slick, quick hands still a sight to behold (if you were quick enough to see them in action).
The veteran Tiger playmaker, as he’s been doing for so long now, constantly made teammates look better through his creativity.
Graham, a dual Richmond premiership player, was glowing in his praise of Edwards, from both an on-field and off-field perspective.
“He’s a silky-smooth mover, and you wouldn’t think he’s going into his 15th season,” Graham told Richmond Media.
“He’s a great player and even better role model.
“A lot of us younger boys look up to him.”
