Shane Edwards facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shane Edwards
Edwards with Richmond in June 2017
Personal information
Nickname(s)	Titch, Shedda,
Date of birth	(1988-10-25) 25 October 1988 (age 36)
Original team	North Adelaide (SANFL)
Draft	No. 26, 2006 AFL National Draft: Richmond
Debut	Round 4, 2007, Richmond v. Western Bulldogs, at MCG
Position(s)	Utility
Career highlights
3× AFL premiership player: 2017, 2019, 2020 All-Australian team: 2018 Yiooken Award: 2018 Jack Titus Medal (2nd RFC B&F): 2019 2× Fred Swift Medal (4th RFC B&F): 2014, 2018

Shane Edwards (born 25 October 1988) is a former Australian rules football player. He played for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). Shane is famous for being a three-time premiership player. He was also named an All-Australian player once. He finished in the top five of Richmond's best and fairest awards three times. Shane holds two special records for Richmond. He has played the most games as an Indigenous player. He also played the most games wearing the number 10 jersey.

Shane has shared that he hopes to work in player recruitment after his football career.

Early Life and Junior Football Career

Shane Edwards was born in South Australia. His parents are Tara and Greg. He grew up in Golden Grove, a suburb of Adelaide. He went to Golden Grove High School. Shane started playing football at eight years old. He joined the Golden Grove Kookaburras in their first year.

When he was playing Under-13s, he joined North Adelaide. This was his local SANFL club. He played for their junior teams. In 2006, he was part of the Under-19 team that won a premiership. At 17, Shane made his senior SANFL debut. He played 10 senior games that year.

Shane also represented South Australia. He played in the 2006 AFL Under 18 Championships. He kicked a goal in a game against Victoria Country. At the 2006 national draft combine, he showed great fitness. He scored high in tests like the beep test and the three-kilometre time trial.

AFL Career Highlights

Starting Out in the AFL (2007-2009)

Richmond picked Shane Edwards in the 2006 AFL National Draft. He was the 26th player chosen overall. Shane made his AFL debut in 2007. This was in Round 4 against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG. He kicked his first goal in his fifth game. This was in Round 10 against Brisbane. He played 16 games in his first season.

In 2008, Shane played another 16 games. He kicked more goals and had more disposals than before. He even received his first Brownlow Medal vote. The 2009 season saw Shane dropped to the reserves team for a while. But when a new coach, Jade Rawlings, took over, Shane got another chance. He played well and stayed in the team for the rest of the season.

Becoming a Key Player (2010-2012)

Shane Edwards in August 2009, early in his AFL career.

Before the 2010 season, coach Damien Hardwick promised Shane he would play all 22 games. Shane played his 50th career game in Round 3. He had his first game with 20 or more disposals. He also set a career high with 11 tackles in one game. Shane played every game that season. He set new personal bests in many stats. He finished sixth in Richmond's best and fairest award.

In 2011, Shane continued to play well. He injured his cheekbone in Round 8. This made him miss two games. But he returned and played the rest of the season.

Shane showed he was one of Richmond's best runners in 2012. He played 20 games that year. He kicked 29 goals, which was third best for the club. He also played his 100th AFL game in Round 14. This strong season earned him an eighth-place finish in the Jack Dyer Medal count.

Midfield Role and Milestones (2013-2016)

In 2013, Shane started playing more in the midfield. He also took on a bigger leadership role. He even captained the team in a pre-season game. He had a career-best 30 disposals in one match. Shane played in his first final game that year.

Shane Edwards playing for Richmond in 2017.

The year 2014 was great for Shane. He signed a new contract. He played his 150th AFL match in Round 22. He was a key player during Richmond's nine-game winning streak. At the end of the season, he won the Fred Swift Medal. This meant he placed fourth in the club's best and fairest award. He also became a Richmond life member.

In 2015, Shane continued to play mostly in the midfield. He had many strong games. He was even considered for the All-Australian team. He suffered a leg injury that made him miss five games. He played in another final, but Richmond lost.

In 2016, Shane joined the club's leadership group. He played more as a forward. He had a hand injury early in the season but only missed one game. He finished 12th in the club's best and fairest count.

Premiership Success and All-Australian (2017-2018)

Shane Edwards fending off a tackle in 2017.

Shane became Richmond's longest-serving player in 2017. He played his 200th career game in Round 19. He was the first Indigenous player to reach 200 games for Richmond. He played a huge role in the finals series. He even played the Grand Final with a broken finger! Richmond won the Grand Final, making Shane a premiership player. This was in his 11th season and 207th game.

In 2018, Shane was called an "elite" midfielder-forward. He was ranked among the best players in the league. He set a career-best with 31 disposals in one game. He also won the Yiooken Award as the best player on the ground in a special Indigenous game. His coach, Damien Hardwick, called him "one of the greats" of the club. Shane was selected for the 2018 All-Australian team. He finished fourth in Richmond's best and fairest award.

Captaincy and Second Premiership (2019)

Shane Edwards prepares to handball in a 2019 game.

Before the 2019 season, Shane was ranked as the league's best midfielder/forward. Due to injuries to other leaders, Shane was appointed captain of Richmond for the first time in Round 4. He led the team to an amazing win. He played well as a half-back in this new role. He continued to captain the team for several games.

Shane played his 250th AFL game in Round 21. He became the 15th player to reach this milestone for Richmond. He also broke a club record. He passed Kevin Sheedy for the most games played in the number 10 jersey for Richmond. Shane was one of the best players in the finals. Richmond won their second premiership in three seasons. Shane was a key part of this victory. He finished second in the club's best and fairest award.

Third Premiership and Family (2020-2021)

Shane Edwards kicking the ball during a 2020 State of Origin match.

In 2020, Shane played in the special State of Origin for Bushfire Relief Match. The season was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Shane chose to stay in Melbourne with his pregnant partner. He trained there while waiting for his baby daughter to be born. After her birth, he joined his teammates in Queensland. He immediately returned to play.

Shane was best on ground in the final regular-season game. He played a crucial role in the finals. Richmond won their third premiership in four seasons. Shane was a three-time premiership player! He finished third in the Norm Smith Medal voting for his excellent Grand Final performance.

In 2021, Shane continued to be an "elite" player. He played his 268th game, moving into 10th place on Richmond's all-time games list. He suffered an ankle injury in Round 8. He returned to play in a special Indigenous guernsey that he helped design. This jersey told the story of his Indigenous heritage.

Player Profile and Legacy

Shane Edwards is a very versatile player. He started his career as a forward. But he played as an inside midfielder in his three premiership wins. In 2018, he was named All-Australian. He was known as one of the best midfielder-forwards. He led the league in goal assists that year.

Shane is also known for his amazing handballing skills. In 2018, he led the league in metres gained by handball. His teammate Jack Riewoldt even called him the best handballer he had ever seen. In 2019, he also played as a half-back when the team had many injuries.

In 2020, a major newspaper called Shane the eighth best Richmond player of the AFL era. He has played more games for Richmond than any other Indigenous player in the club's history.

Statistics

Statistics are correct to the end of round 22, 2022

Notes

Awards and Achievements

Team Awards

• 3× AFL premiership player (Richmond): 2017, 2019, 2020
• McClelland Trophy (Richmond): 2018

Individual Awards

• All-Australian team: 2018
• Jack Titus Medal (2nd RFC B&F): 2019
• 2× Fred Swift Medal (4th RFC B&F): 2014, 2018
• Yiooken Award: 2018

Personal Life and Family

Shane's father, Greg Edwards, was also a talented footballer. He played for Central Districts in the SANFL. Greg holds a club record for kicking 100 goals in a season in 1982. Shane's brother, Kym, played for North Adelaide in the SANFL.

His paternal grandfather, Doug, played for West Torrens and North Adelaide. His uncle Russell also played in the SANFL.

Shane's maternal grandmother is from the Arunta people of central Australia. She grew up on a mission in Mount Gambier. His maternal grandfather is German.

Outside of playing, Shane has worked as a part-time scout for Richmond. He has been learning about player recruitment since 2018. Shane has two daughters with his partner, Samantha Erichsdotter. One was born in August 2020, and the other in August 2024.