The sight of fifteen-odd Shore School old boys surrounding their mate Will Edwards in the live post-match interview in the rooms on Channel Seven after the Sydney Swans 66-point thrashing of the Western Bulldogs in round seven was a sight to behold.
After being on the Swans’ list since being rookie-listed in 2022 and playing 44 games for the VFL team interrupted by shocking run of injuries, the big-bodied robust defender from local club North Shore, had finally played his first senior AFL game.
In an impressive debut Will gathered 12 disposals, as well making two tackles, two spoils and taking an intercept mark. Arguably the highlight of his match came in the 2nd quarter when his crunching tackle on an opponent caused the bill to spill out and give the Swans a forward 50 entry and shot at goal.
Will grew up on the northern beaches and started his footy journey with the Manly Bombers junior footy club based at Curl Curl, just down the lagoon from North Curl Curl Beach.
For secondary schooling he went to ‘Shore’ (Sydney Church of England Grammar School) in North Sydney so he went to nearby Gore Hill Oval to play for leading AFL Sydney club North Shore in the Premier League.
Will is following the trail blazed by dual Swans premiership defender Lewis Roberts-Thomson, who also attended Shore school and played for the North Shore Bombers.
North Shore was formed in 1903 when the Sydney competition was reformed after a hiatus of almost ten years; Norths have maintained a permanent presence since and have won a total of 15 premierships including the past two flags. Norths are currently top of the table and meet last year’s runner up Manly Warringah (currently sixth) this Saturday at Weldon Oval where Will Edwards had his first kick of the Sherrin.
Casey Bunton Medal Leaderboard – NSW player leading in AFLCA votes
26 (-) Isaac Heeney (Cardiff/ Sydney Swans)
18 (-) Nick Blakey (University of NSW-Eastern Suburbs/ Sydney Swans)
12 (-) Matthew Kennedy (Collingullie/ Western Bulldogs)
10 (-) Taylor Walker (North Broken Hill/ Adelaide Crows)
9 (-) Shaun Mannagh (Walla Walla/ Geelong)
8 (-) Jarrod Witts (Sydney University/ Gold Coast Suns)
8 (-) Errol Gulden (University of NSW-Eastern Suburbs/ Sydney Swans)
Bill Mohr Medal Leaderboard – NSW player leading goalkicker in the AFL
11 (1) Taylor Walker (North Broken Hill/ Adelaide Crows)
10 (-) Isaac Heeney (Cardiff/ Sydney Swans)
9 (2) Cooper Sharman (Leeton-Whitton Crows/ St Kilda)
8 (1) Phoenix Gothard (Albury/ GWS Giants)
8 (1) Jobe Shanahan (Moama/ West Coast Eagles)
7 (1) Lachie Schultz (Moama/ Collingwood)
7 (-) Patrick Voss (Turvey Park/ Fremantle)