He's one of the greats of our club: HardwickBen Collins
afl.com.au
Jun 2, 2018 11:48PMPREMIERSHIP hero Shane Edwards will finish his career as a Richmond great after another blistering display on the big stage, according to coach Damien Hardwick.
Edwards finished with a game-high 31 disposals, two goals and three direct score assists in the Tigers' Dreamtime at the 'G win, to stamp himself as the competition's No.1 set-up player.
Richmond's only indigenous player in the match, Edwards did as he pleased in the second term before finishing as the runaway winner of his first Yiooken Award for best player on the ground.
"He's got one thing that makes him an incredible talent and a very underrated talent in my view, he makes those around him better.
"You look at his score assists on a weekly basis, not only this week but throughout his career.
"He'll go down as one of the greats of our footy club, I reckon.
"I've loved him ever since I got here, he's been such a terrific player for us and the club."
"It was great, I must admit when they were reading the name out I was hoping he'd get it," Hardwick said of Edwards' accolade.
One of the best in the Tigers' drought-breaking premiership last year, Edwards' ability to play one step ahead of his opponents impressed Hardwick most.
"His ability to win the ball in the contest and get it to the guy on the outside, he skips a possession in between.
"Most players would see 'that one', he sees the one, one step on. That's a credit to him and a credit to his vision of the game.
"We're fortunate to watch his 200-game highlights tape and it's just 'wow'.
"There's things he can do that other players can't and that's why he's special."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-06-02/hes-one-of-the-greats-of-our-club-hardwick
