List Mgmt. Welcome to Luke Edwards (Pick 52, 2020 National Draft)

[wce4premiership]

A role he's only put in because he must be fit.

Seems best suited to working in traffic with good composure and being able to move from inside to outside at a slow pace, not relying on power but smarts.

Not good enough to displace guys like Yeo, Kelly, Reid etc so is just doing what he has to to get games.

The role is a weird one and everyone seams to fail in it.

Bring back Masten I say!

 

[Reminiscence]

Good for Luke to get a block of games in the senior squad.

Can anyone more knowledgeable about footy explain what role he is playing at the moment?

Is it wing? High Half forward?

Seems to get most of his possessions about 70-90m from goal.

Looks like Match Committee are fans of his even though his numbers are quite low, not a particularly effective kick, not one to do anything flashy.

From what I recall at the Suns game, he played a LOT of half forward as Hunt / Chesser were the main wingers.

Same again here, plays a lot of fat side winger / starts as a half forward quite a fair bit which probably limits his impact to some extent.

Not good enough in the contested stuff to be an inside mid as he's more interested in wrestling his opponent than actually trying to get the ball, but better on the outside where he utilises his best attribute which is his decision making.

I'm still hopeful as the AFL IQ is definitely there, but it's been pretty painful viewing the last couple of weeks and he's missed easy targets by foot when normally his kicking is pretty good.

 

[Cuzz09]

I call him floatie boy

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[KERRPOW]

A role he's only put in because he must be fit.

Seems best suited to working in traffic with good composure and being able to move from inside to outside at a slow pace, not relying on power but smarts.

Not good enough to displace guys like Yeo, Kelly, Reid etc so is just doing what he has to to get games.

The role is a weird one and everyone seams to fail in it.

Bring back Masten I say!

Probably the only role he's good at as when the game was hot and he got the ball the mind was ticking faster than the body and he got done BAAAALLLLL

 

[ioppolo]

His second game was that Richmond game in 2021 where we stole it from no where. 27 disposals, not even close since. What on earth on happened? Imagine peaking in game 2.

 

[Cuzz09]

yeah he hasn't cracked 20 possies since

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[ioppolo]

yeah he hasn't cracked 20 possies since

On SM-S908E using BigFooty.com mobile app

I know his role is the black hole of football careers right now but wtf happened that game

 

[Dom sheed pocket]

Good for Luke to get a block of games in the senior squad.

Can anyone more knowledgeable about footy explain what role he is playing at the moment?

Is it wing? High Half forward?

Seems to get most of his possessions about 70-90m from goal.

Looks like Match Committee are fans of his even though his numbers are quite low, not a particularly effective kick, not one to do anything flashy.

The last few weeks it looks more like a high half forward role, almost as a defensive forward.

I’ve seen him start less as in the wing the last couple of weeks.

Long seems to have spent more time starting on the wing, along with Chesser and at times Hunt.

Small change that has gone largely unnoticed.

 

[InTheWings]

Article about getting his body right for the rigours of AFL. I guess the final sentence also sums up the mentality of playing on the dead wing.

Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) midfield Luke Edwards enjoying extended run after prioritising physical welfare​

Ben SmithThe West Australian
Sun, 19 May 2024 2:00AM

Luke Edwards has played eight of nine games this season. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Young Waalitj Marawar (West Coast) midfielder Luke Edwards has credited an improved physical durability for his helping him nail down a consistent run in the senior side since his debut.

The 22-year-old South Australian played 25 AFL games across his first three years at the club, 14 of which came last year.
Edwards has played eight of the Eagles’ nine opening games of the season, with only a concussion suffered in the derby win over Walyalup (Fremantle) preventing him from playing every match.

After a groin injury scuppered his 2022 season and resulted in him playing just three games, Edwards realised he needed to put more time into getting his body AFL-ready.

“It’s been challenging over the last couple years, trying to understand my body and what it takes to be an AFL player and be playing consistent footy,” he said.

“It’s been a bit of a challenge, but I was able to do pretty much all of pre-season, which I haven’t been able to do since being here.”

The son of Crows great Tyson said it had taken him a while to adjust to the realities of life in the AFL system.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/freman...e-because-of-business-class-seats--c-14688459
https://thewest.com.au/sport/afl/wa...ont-runner-in-narrms-caleb-windsor-c-14678859
“I’m spending more time on my body and spending more time in the gym or doing extra recovery; growing up, I probably hadn’t done a heap of that,” he said.

“It’s just exploring myself and seeing what my body can handle. I’ve had a few little injuries, but just to learn from it, that’s been good to have.”

After tallying 17 disposals and a goal against Collingwood, Edwards said the availability of several club veterans has taken a significant burden off the shoulders of the younger players.

Edwards marks in front of Willem Drew

28

Willem Drew

Age

26

Ht

188cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.9

4star

K

7.2

3star

HB

8.7

5star

M

2.2

2star

T

5.6

5star

CL

2.3

4star

No current season stats available

D

18.0

5star

K

9.2

4star

HB

8.8

5star

M

3.0

3star

T

4.2

5star

CL

2.8

5star

of the Power. Credit: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“It started back in pre-season, when everyone came back fit and firing,” he said.

“It’s been good having a good balance of senior and younger boys. The senior boys have been looking after us a fair bit on the field, showing us the ropes and teaching us how we want to play our footy.”

Edwards said his mindset was geared around being versatile and adaptable while continuing to soak up tips of the trade from veterans such as Andrew Gaff

3

Andrew Gaff

Age

32

Ht

184cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

26.6

5star

K

15.9

5star

HB

10.7

5star

M

4.8

5star

T

2.0

4star

CL

2.5

4star

D

24.5

5star

K

15.6

5star

HB

8.9

4star

M

5.4

5star

T

2.0

3star

CL

2.5

4star

D

11.2

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

3.2

4star

T

0.6

3star

CL

0.6

3star

— whose spot on the wing he has taken from the dual All-Australian.

“Keep building, keep growing, keep learning from those older guys, especially from Gaffy who I’ve spent a fair bit of time with and he’s been awesome to have around the club,” he said.

Dyson Heppell of the Bombers tackles Luke Edwards. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“I’ve been thrown around a little bit position-wise, playing up forward and inside and out on the wing.

“Being adaptable to play multiple roles and do what I need for the team by keep covering the ground well, and hopefully getting a kick of the footy as well.”

 

[Alesana]

2024 highlights

 

[WCErevival]

His second game was that Richmond game in 2021 where we stole it from no where. 27 disposals, not even close since. What on earth on happened? Imagine peaking in game 2.

Adelaide supporters were saying how did they miss him as he was a father son. Turns out Adelaide knew what they were doing.

 

[InTheWings]

22-year-old West Coast Eagle Luke Edwards could become the next to face an early retirement from his AFL career due to persistent concussion symptoms.


The young midfielder was most recently concussed during Round 20's Western Derby, when he entered concussion protocols for the third time in the 2024 season. Since this clash, Edwards has not participated in any further matches this season, and he is not expected to play for the remainder of the year.


Since being drafted in 2020, Edwards has played 37 games for the Eagles, showing flashes of promise despite a career punctuated by health setbacks.


His most notable performance came in 2021, where he tallied 27 disposals and five marks in a game against the then-reigning premiers, Richmond.


Recent meetings between the West Coast Eagles and Edwards' management team have been held, focusing on his health and future in the sport. Further medical evaluations are planned to determine the severity of his condition.

Depending on the results, Edwards may either be cleared to continue his career or referred to an AFL panel for a definitive decision on his playing future. If the latter occurs, there could be a possibility of a compensation payout.


The situation places Edwards among several other players who have recently faced similar career-ending health issues in the AFL.


In just the last year, high profile players such as Collingwood's Nathan Murphy, Melbourne's Angus Brayshaw, Collingwood's Josh Carmichael and Western Bulldogs draftee Aidan O'Driscoll have all retired on medical advice following prolonged concussion issues.


These cases also followed the devastating departure of Paddy McCartin from the code after his worryingly innocuous incident last season.


This trend highlights the evolving landscape of player health and safety within the AFL, as the league continues to navigate the challenges posed by head trauma. The long-term health risks associated with repeated head injuries in contact sports puts significant pressure on league's like the AFL to prioritise the well-being of its players above all else in the game.


As more players come forward with their struggles, the AFL's approach to managing concussions and protecting its athletes remains under scrutiny, potentially leading to further policy changes and advancements in player care.

 

[BeornJ]

Poor dude.

 

[Obeanie1]

Hope his health long term is not affected and we look after him.

Chances are he was going to be let go and as a min we should keep him at the club off the list as a WAFL even if he cant play. Support him for another 12 months as a footballer if that is his wish.

 

[Bottle]

Does anyone remember him actually getting properly knocked out? I don't even remember an instance of him even looking groggy. He must have a tendency to suffer the after effects of head knocks more than others. If so, that's a pity for him and another early retirement for us in all likelihood.

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

Farewell sweet prince...

Edwards steps away from AFL

Luke Edwards is stepping away from the game to concentrate on his health and wellbeing

www.westcoasteagles.com.au

 

[THE A5]

Lol

 

[Jaspar24]

Lol
View attachment 2155319

Amateur hour at the AFL again lol.

 

[FKASC]

Damn. Hope he makes a full recovery. We’ll always have that Richmond game

 

[Ghossein]

Does this mean he's aiming to make an AFL return at some stage?

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

Does this mean he's aiming to make an AFL return at some stage?

I would doubt it based on his comments.

"I am stepping away from the game currently due to concussion reasons to allow me the time to return to full health," Edwards said.

"With the support of my family and the club, I will take all steps required to prepare myself for the next steps in my life."

 

[ioppolo]

Damn. Hope he makes a full recovery. We’ll always have that Richmond game

27 disposals in game two. 36 games of utter trash otherwise. Strange times.

 

[THE A5]

27 disposals in game two. 36 games of utter trash otherwise. Strange times.

The one that i’m more upset about is Jarrod Cameron. Two bags in his first few games and then had a few injuries and then never really gave in an effort

 

[BeornJ]

Best of luck in the future Luke

 

[bzparkes]

27 disposals in game two. 36 games of utter trash otherwise. Strange times.

Well, game 2 he started as an inside mid.

The rest of the games he played HFF/dead wing role.

Hopefully McQualter actually plays players in roles they were drafted for.