Champion Data’s Glenn Luff and dual premiership player David King have sung the praises of an underrated Richmond star who is helping the Tigers establish themselves as the best team in the competition.
While the likes of Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Alex Rance and Jack Riewoldt earn the headlines, Luff has explained why Shane Edwards has been central to Damien Hardwick’s system.
“For years people have said, why do you rate Shane Edwards so highly?” Luff told SEN Afternoons.
“The numbers made you look at the way he played. He wins it in really difficult situations, a high contested ball player.
“What he does with it is just unbelievable.
“He averages 19 disposals this year but we have him rated in the top-15 in the competition.
“The ability to get it to a teammate in a better position. He breaks the game up.
“He has had 23 score assists this year, seven more than any other player in the competition.
“He is an amazing player, Shane Edwards.”
King thinks if Edwards was playing for the Hawks, he would draw links to one of their most celebrated stars.
“If he was at Hawthorn Shane Edwards, if he was drafted to Hawthorn, he would be compared to Cyril Rioli with his moves and the ability to get a handball through a window,” he said.
“To just find a player in a better position, and if there is nothing on, turn you know what into sugar. He is just amazing.
“I think he has been a misunderstood talent for a long time. I thought he was best on ground in the Grand Final last year.”
Edwards and the Tigers will look to strength their grip on top spot this Sunday against North Melbourne, and you can hear the game live on 1116 SEN from 12:00pm with Gerard Whateley, Peter Donegan, Danny Frawley and Adam Cooney.
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