South Coast star shines at Nationals

By Brendan Day

Elijah Edwards, a Shoalhaven junior on a NSW/ACT Scholarship with Collingwood, has continued to impress with his ongoing development into an AFL-calibre football player.

Edwards was signed to a scholarship by Collingwood at the start of 2010, when he was only 14. He subsequently relocated to Victoria at the start of 2011 to board at the prestigious Scotch College.

At Scotch, the 17-year-old’s football skills have developed rapidly, with Edwards winning the school’s Best and Fairest award as just a Year 11 student. By doing so he emulated the feat of current AFL players Campbell Brown and Nick Smith, members of the Suns and Swans respectively.

Compared to AFL star Cyril Rioli by his Scotch College coach Robert Smith, Edwards is a creative and electrifyingly quick midfielder/forward with a penchant for dazzling footwork.

“He was a very solid performer at the National Championships, playing four games, and played mainly as a defensive forward, midfield type,” said Darren Denneman, Manager – Talent and Coaching NSW/ACT.

“He is a very exciting player to watch when he is up and going.”

Edwards represented the NSW/ACT RAMS at this year’s NAB AFL Under-18 National Championships.

In addition to school and representative football, Edwards plays for the Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup.

He is eligible to be placed on either of Collingwood’s senior or rookie lists at the end of 2013, though if not, will be looking to be picked in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft.