Harry Edwards hopes to emulate Jemermy McGovern's legacy as West Coast remain under siege
Tom Barrass's move to Hawthorn at the end of last year and McGovern's concussion-forced retirement last month means Edwards is now 'the man' in West Coast's besieged defence.
The 24-year-old has notched just 52 AFL games since being taken as a rookie in 2017 and there were doubts whether he could become the team's go-to key defender when a poor start to the year resulted in him being dropped.
But Edwards returned with a bang in round nine, playing every game since then and excelling in the role of key backman.
Edwards will be back in action on Sunday when West Coast face Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, with key forwards Mitch Georgiades and Ollie Lord lying in wait.
'I had a bit of a shaky start to the year and went back to WAFL to work on a few things,' Edwards said.
'I needed to improve some of my positioning and contest stuff, which is my one wood.
'It's always a tough role playing the deepest back on big forwards in a developing side.
'But I feel like I've taken some good steps this year and I can be that guy for the Eagles for years to come.'
Another player to have excelled in defence this year has been Ginbey, who often mans key forwards who are bigger and taller than him.
'Bloody hell, I love Reuben. He's a superstar,' Edwards said.
'I love playing with him. He can play on talls. He can play on smalls. I couldn't speak higher of him.'
Edwards said defence coach Luke Webster and former West Coast captain Shannon Hurn had played pivotal roles in his progress.
He also lavished praise on five-time All-Australian McGovern, who is regarded as one of the best AFL defenders of all time.
'He's a good mate of mine,' Edwards said.
'He drops seeds of wisdom here and there for me.
'He's probably the best defender in the modern era, so to be able to take things from his game and have him teach me stuff over the course of my journey has been invaluable.'
Port Adelaide (7-9) lost Esava Ratugolea, Sam Powell-Pepper and Dante Visentini to season-ending injuries in last week's 28-point loss to Brisbane.
West Coast, who are aiming to celebrate Jamie Cripps' 250th game for the Eagles with a win, axed Tim Kelly, Sandy Brock, Bo Allan and Jack Williams.
Tom Cole, Matt Owies, Tyrell Dewar and fit-again defender Rhett Bazzo, who has played just one AFL match since the start of 2024, come into the side.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘End this now': Footy world slams Richmond vs Essendon game
Essendon and Richmond are two proud AFL clubs fighting desperately to get back among the top teams in the competition. On Saturday night, sadly, they were both a laughing stock in the Tigers' nine-point win, 6.10 (46) to 4.13 (37). Huge numbers of fans watching on were calling the MCG clash the worst game of the year, while Fox Footy commentator Anthony Hudson was left asking if umpires had 'ever decided not to give any (Brownlow Medal) votes'. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. In a reasonable opening quarter, the teams kicked three goals apiece, including a popular first goal from debutant and No. 12 draft pick Taj Hotton after his return from an ACL injury. And that was basically it in terms of highlights from this game. The two teams produced 53 minutes of painful, goal free football from the start of the second quarter until more than 15 minutes into the third, when 12 behinds were kicked. The Bombers kicked six behinds in the second quarter to Richmond's solitary point and the commentators were left blaming a 'vortex' in the Ponsford Stand pocket as players repeatedly butchered possession and sent shots on goal out on the full. In one passage of play, Hotton produced a neat handball that resulted in Luke Trainor kicking out on the full when he had an open target in the forward line. 'Little bit of magic there. But we just can't get a goal, that's the problem,' Garry Lyon said. A short time later, Tim Taranto kicked to Jacob Kotschitzke inside 50m and the forward managed to juggle the ball off his own face and over the line when under zero pressure. 'Oh no. It strikes again, the vortex. He's falconed himself,' Hudson said. Brad Johnson asked: 'What is going on in that forward pocket tonight?' Lyon chimed in: 'There's just this uneasy murmur going around the ground right now. 'We don't want to talk the game down.' When Hudson suggested you couldn't take your eyes off the game, perhaps a similar vein to watching a car accident, Lyon replied: 'No, you can. You can.' At halftime, with the Bombers leading by a point, Hudson declared: 'What we can promise you is that the third quarter will be better than the second.' It was a bold call from the commentator after what everyone had witnessed in that first half. Lyon said: 'There was a lot of junk, let's be honest. So let's see if we can clear the decks here.' The Tigers are at least rebuilding and have a host of top young talent following premiership victories in 2017, 2019 and 2020. It's more dire for the once-mighty Bombers, who are stuck on one of the most famous modern 'records' in the AFL, having not won a final since way back in 2004. The behinds kept coming in the third quarter, with five more being kicked before Archer May finally kicked Essendon's fourth goal, ended that dreadful 53 minute stretch. The commentators were left trying to make jokes to amuse themselves, bereft of any highlights to discuss. 'I look forward to seeing how the umpires vote this on Brownlow night,' Johnson said. Hudson swiftly replied: 'They may not give any votes. Have they ever decided not to give any votes in a game?' Former Giant Taranto then finally stood up for the Tigers in the final term, taking a mark inside 50m and kicking the goal for Richmond's first since late in the first quarter. 'I don't think (the kick) was 15 metres in the end, but goals have been that hard to come by, I think the umpires were feeling sorry for the crowd,' Lyon quipped. 'Tim Taranto is a senior player in this group, this is his opportunity to get them back level, massive chance for a rare victory here for Richmond.' He did just that as Hudson screamed: 'Tim Taranto's kick goes the line and beyond! 'And the arms are raised in triumph and scores are level again at the MCG. 'For all that we've endured, we could be set for a grandstand finish.' Full credit to Hudson for managing to find his voice in such a low standard contest. Fans online were far less forgiving, with many saying the same thing, particularly in that first half. Nick McFarlane tweeted: 'If there's been a worse half of footy for the year, I'm sure we were involved in that too.' Amie wrote: 'This is genuinely one of the worst games played this year.' Milan said: 'Cancel culture should do their thing & end this game right now.' Komo offered: 'Arguably the worst quarter of footy I've witnessed live in my 53 years on the planet.' Gurtofen wrote: 'One of the worst halves of AFL football I have ever seen. It's a lottery as to which team is worse.' Harry Taylor appeared to be at the ground, tweeting: 'That was the worst quarter of football I have ever seen. Definitely in person.' Essendon fan Andrew wrote: 'On behalf of footy, I'm sorry.' Account @valleyflaxman declared: 'Watching Richmond and Essendon after the first two games today is like drinking paint as the main course at a Michelin star restaurant.' Footy fans had been treated to two high quality matches prior to this one, the Crows' victory over the Bulldogs and GWS' triumph over Geelong. We might leave the last word to X user Max Allen, who was reminded of a traumatic story while watching the game at the MCG. As a kid I saw Dad run over our cat,' Allen wrote. 'Poor thing was asleep on the Land Cruiser tyre but didn't realise til it flung out the back half way up to the shed & nearly hit me on the motorbike. 'Was incredibly traumatic but nothing compared to that first half of footy.'
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Marquez takes seventh pole of season at wet German GP
Ducati's Marc Marquez clinched his seventh pole position of the season at the German Grand Prix in a wet qualifying session at the Sachsenring, where several riders crashed in slippery conditions. While most riders struggled for grip on the wet surface and in the spray on Saturday, it was veterans Marquez and LCR Honda's Johann Zarco who mastered the conditions in a shootout for pole. Both Maverick Vinales and Australian Jack Miller suffered high-side crashes at turn four, but Marquez seemed at ease in the conditions, though even the Spaniard had a heart-stopping scare when he briefly slid before regaining control. "I was getting warmer and warmer and then I already had a moment on turn 11 and then when I crossed the finish line on that (one minute and) 28.0 I said, 'OK, now breathe, calm down, the target is done,' that was the front row," Marquez said. "I thought that was done, but then I saw on the screen and on the pit wall that the lap time of the second (best rider) every time was closer and closer. Then I pushed a bit, but because I felt like I was able to do it." Zarco, who had to come through the first qualifying session, had not claimed pole since Silverstone in 2022 and he came close to denying Marquez the 101st pole of his career with a faster time early in his lap, but he lost time on the final sector. It made no difference, as Marquez put in one final lap at the end of the session to clock one minute and 27.811 seconds to go fastest. "Seeing the rain this morning I was thinking, 'OK, it's a new game, I have my chance'," said Zarco, who claimed victory at a wet French Grand Prix earlier this season. "At the end I did an extra push and I get the second place. It's cool, I expected pole position but Marc also got another fast lap and it's pretty good because yesterday I was not in the top 10 (in practice)." Marco Bezzecchi was third fastest and will start on the front row for the first time with Aprilia. VR46 Racing's Franco Morbidelli was fourth fastest and is joined on the second row by KTM's Pedro Acosta and Gresini Racing's Alex Marquez, who is second in the championship. The younger Marquez sibling was medically cleared to race this weekend after a hand fracture at the Dutch Grand Prix two weeks ago required surgery.
The Age
4 hours ago
- The Age
AUNZ XV vs British and Irish Lions LIVE: Lions set for Adelaide test
Latest posts Latest posts 7.30pm The Lions lineup Let's break down this Lions team. Hugo Keenan has battled illness and a lack of form since arriving in Australia and a decent performance could see the Irish fullback lock up the number 15 jersey against the Wallabies. Jac Morgan is the last Welshman standing and has been outstanding at openside flanker. The Lions have been weak at the breakdown and he is a ready solution. He could thrive in Adelaide given Pete Samu is many things, but a specialist fetcher he is not. Finally, the Scottish centre partnership of Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu look to have missed out to Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki, but could a strong performance change Andy Farrell's mind? Perhaps. Finally, the side is captained by Tadhg Beirne who has not been himself this tour, there is no better place to change it than in Adelaide. The AUNZ side have a Barbarians feel, the Lions are now infinitely more settled. After two stuttering performances against well-organised Waratahs and Brumbies defences, Adelaide could provide a lot more gaps. 7.30pm The AUNZ Invitational XV It is hard to dislike this side in terms of quality. New Reds teammates Aidan Ross and Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen get a chance to reunite after impressing in the first half for their club against the Lions in Brisbane. Brandon Paenga-Amosa is an elite scrummager and will add ballast to the side. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is the Australian captain and will feel he has a point to prove to Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt for a late dash for the second and third Tests. The backrowers are extremely strong as a unit, Pete Samu fresh from European glory with Bordeaux, paired with New Zealanders Shannon Frizell and Hoskins Sotutu. I'm excited to see how Folau Kakatava works with Tane Edmed in the halves and then in the backline, Marika Koroibete is playing with a smile on his face and the captain, David Havili has won a Super Rugby title for the Crusaders. The only thing this side has against them is preparation time and it's been extremely limited. 7.30pm Good evening Good evening everyone, it's Jonathan Drennan on the blog from Sydney while my partner in the halves Iain Payten is bringing you his expertise direct from the stunning Adelaide Oval. Payto has resisted the considerable charms of Adelaide's vineyards and churches and instead is set for the British and Irish Lions last hit out before the first Test in Brisbane. He will be sending his thoughts throughout the game. Tonight's AUNZ XV is coached by future Wallabies coach Les Kiss and assisted by former All Blacks coach Ian Foster, it is an extremely strong team on paper, but whether it can gel together will soon become clear. According to colleagues down on the ground the AUNZ merch has been very popular amongst local New Zealand population and why shouldn't it be? This is the first hit out for this team since 1989 and it's fantasy rugby selections. Let's get into it.
