McGovern's legacy lives on for besieged Eagles backs
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.
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