The road towards AFL selection is usually met with setbacks, yet the journey Will Edwards undertook was met with more impediments than most.

Recruited from the Sydney club of North Shore, Will Edwards was rookie listed back all the way back in 2022 and had played 44 VFL games before the call-up to the Swans’ AFL team.

“I don't think anyone can ever question your resilience, perseverance, and toughness to go through what you have,” Swans senior coach Dean Cox said in regards to Edwards’ tough journey towards AFL selection.

After a shaky first touch in his first AFL match in which he dropped a mark, the rest of his game was stamped with a robust and determined attack on the opposition.

Arguably the highlight of his match came in the second quarter when his crunching tackle on his opponent caused the ball to spill out and gave the Swans a forward 50 entry and a shot at goal.

With a bulky frame and a superior height to most, Edwards is likely to be a powerhouse in tackling and one on one contest. 

Commentator David King was full of praise for Edwards and stated, “He’s been a find. I really like his positioning, a real competitor.”

And then after the match, King heaped more praise on Edwards, “I thought he was terrific. He just looks rock solid..... they’ve found one there.”