WA rising star and Albany-raised Tom Edwards kicks three goals in debut for Essendon at the MCG

Albany’s Tom Edwards has lived out a childhood dream, running out on the MCG to make his AFL debut for the club he supported growing up. Edwards was picked up by Essendon as a pre-season supplemental selection after impressing in a training stint with the club. The 24-year-old’s debut in round two against Adelaide on Saturday in front of his proud family came after strong early VFL form. The key forward shone on debut, kicking a goal with his first kick and going on to boot three majors for the match. Despite the 61-point loss, Edwards’ Bombers debut was a special moment, with his parents Leith and Belinda alongside younger sisters Charlotte and Georgia Edwards making the trip over to watch the game alongside his partner Sidorie Chandler. Edwards said he was careful to contain his excitement after getting the call he would pull on the Bombers jumper in the AFL for the first time and said his dad was the first person he told. “It all happened pretty quickly, but the club’s been so supportive, the whole crew’s made it so effortless and it’s been pretty easy to be honest,” he said. “It was pretty exciting, I got the call and I was so excited but then you have two days to prepare so you’ve got to calm yourself down and make sure you prepare properly.” Edwards finished with 3.1 from eight disposals to go with two marks and three tackles in a terrific debut. “Obviously there was a pretty big build-up going into it, but it’s nice to get through and tried to play my role but unfortunately we couldn’t get the result in the end,” he said. “It was tough, the Crows played a good system, they were on top early, and it felt like we had momentum in parts of the game but obviously they’re big bodies and the game moves quick, so unfortunately, we just couldn’t get it done.” The young forward played for Royals in the Great Southern Football League where his father Leith is a club legend, before moving to Perth where he spent five seasons playing with Swan Districts in the WAFL. He is the latest in a long line of Great Southern footballers to play in the AFL, including recent debutants Jacob Blight (Richmond) and Arthur Jones (Western Bulldogs). Leith Edwards presented him his jumper in a touching ceremony before his debut game, saying he couldn’t have been prouder of his son’s journey to the big leagues. “I just want to congratulate you Tom, thanks to Essendon for giving him the opportunity and to everyone along the way — Swan Districts, Royals, everyone that’s had a piece in his journey,” he said. “We’re just super proud mate, everything you’ve done over a long period of time has led you to this point and we’re just super happy for you.” Bombers legend Tim Watson also spoke about the young player in the Essendon clubrooms before his game jumper was presented, and said Edwards had an exciting time ahead of him. “Today you stand on the shoulders of those great players and you get the opportunity to write your own history and your own journey, and your own story today,” he said. “I know everybody in the room has already acknowledged the fact that you deserve your spot in this team today, and I wish you all the best when you run out there today to represent the Essendon Football Club because you will be in the club now for the rest of your life and you will understand how big it is and how important it is, so congratulations.”