Player Watch #40: Eddie Ford - re-signed until end of 2025

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Welcome to North Melbourne, Eddie Ford






With pick 56, North Melbourne has selected Eddie Ford from the Western Jets.

A versatile option, Ford has the scope to play forward, midfield or in defence.

Ford possesses impressive athletic attributes, and is an aerial marking threat.

“Eddie is an exciting forward who performed well on Grand Final day in 2019 in the Futures game,” National Recruiting Manager, Mark Finnigan said.

“He has speed, power and clean hands while having the ability to take a big mark and kick bags of goals."

Pick 56: Eddie Ford

With pick 56, North Melbourne has selected Eddie Ford from the Western Jets.

www.nmfc.com.au

 

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AFL draft prospect Eddie Ford lauded as a ‘big-game player’
Eddie Ford has already sourced footage of some of the AFL’s biggest names and starred on the MCG — and he’s only 18.

Luke D’Anello
December 8, 2020 - 12:30PM
Leader
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader.../512bb2c008ae10e26256823239d0eb32#share-tools

Eddie Ford will bring plenty of X-factor if he is picked up by an AFL club. Picture: Getty Images

Eddie Ford has showcased his ability on the MCG on the last Saturday in September.

The Western Jets draft prospect shone in the under-17 All Stars game before the 2019 AFL decider between Richmond and GWS Giants.

Locking horns with the best players across the nation in his age group, Ford racked up 20 possessions and booted two goals to be among the leading performers on the ground.

While it was a curtain-raiser to the main event at the time, a cancelled season amid the coronavirus crisis has given the fixture extra significance.

That is only good news for Ford ahead of Wednesday’s AFL National Draft, with the 18-year-old touted as a second-round pick.

“Eddie’s a big-game player,” Jets talent manager Luke Williams

Luke Williams

Age

44

Ht

185cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.7

2star

K

5.1

2star

HB

4.5

3star

M

2.8

3star

T

1.5

3star

No current season stats available

D

3.4

1star

K

1.6

1star

HB

1.8

2star

M

1.4

2star

T

0.2

3star

declared.

“He sets himself for big games, and it was no surprise he performed quite well in the first half of that game and he’s done some special things when he’s represented Vic Metro as well.

“I’d expect them (recruiters) to put a lot of weight on that game.

“It’s probably the last time the most talented players in the country of his age group have played together, so they’ll definitely be referring back to that.”

Western Jet Eddie Ford is an impressive prospect. Picture: James Ross

Ford was preparing for a shift into the midfield in the NAB League this year before the pandemic intervened.

He produced an impressive season for the Jets in 2019, voted the club’s best under-age player after averaging 14 disposals and almost four marks from 16 games.

Ford developed his craft across the half-forward flank as a bottom-ager, displaying his aerial prowess and strong decision-making.

But the midfield is not foreign to Ford, who spent plenty of time there in his junior days at Yarraville-Seddon.

He also performed with aplomb in a forward/wing role for the Eagles’ senior team in the Western Region Football League in 2018, finishing top-10 in the best-and-fairest after starting the season as a 15-year-old.

“The term X-factor is pretty prominent with Eddie and he possesses a lot of special AFL traits that clubs are looking for,” Williams said.

“From that point of view, he’s obviously been the player of most interest at the Jets for clubs.”

Standing 188cm, Ford recorded the equal best running vertical jump (94cm) at last month’s state combine.

“He tested the best at the Vic combine for his vertical leap, so that height combined with his leap makes him a real tough match up for defenders,” Williams said.

“He’s very good above his head, has some great goal sense and is quite creative with his hands as well.”


Speaking to Leader Local Footy earlier this year, Ford said he had used the shutdown period to address his weaknesses.

“I was looking forward to (2020). I had a pretty good pre-season, a couple of niggles here and there, but overall it was pretty good and my 2km (time trial) was a good standard and better than last year,” he said.

“The coronavirus hasn’t affected me a whole lot. I’ve been able to not neglect this time and not using it as a break, but keep using it as a platform to work hard, develop my strengths.

“I’m getting a lot more time in the gym, which is handy, so can strengthen the body up a little bit.”

Ford also sourced footage of the likes of Fremantle skipper and dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe and West Coast star Elliot Yeo

6

Elliot Yeo

Age

31

Ht

191cm

Wt

91kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.5

5star

K

11.7

4star

HB

7.8

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.5

5star

MG

377.9

5star

D

18.9

4star

K

10.9

4star

HB

8.0

4star

M

2.1

2star

T

5.8

5star

MG

287.4

4star

D

16.6

4star

K

9.4

4star

HB

7.2

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

0.6

3star

.

Champion Data likens Ford to Port Adelaide young gun Connor Rozee

1

Connor Rozee

Age

24

Ht

185cm

Wt

79kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.6

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.0

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.6

5star

CL

1.0

3star

D

12.8

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

5.3

3star

M

2.9

3star

T

2.4

3star

CL

1.6

4star

D

16.4

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

8.4

5star

M

4.2

4star

T

3.4

5star

CL

0.8

3star

.

“Identifying a player of such high quality and looking into the finer details of that player is quite mature of Eddie,” Williams said.

“Obviously Nat and some of the elite players in the AFL, we know the special things they can do, but they also do the basics really well.

“He learnt a lot from dissecting some of the AFL players as to how to best round his game. Eddie still got a few things to work on, despite his talents, and going about it the way he did by dissecting vision when he wasn’t allowed to play was a good approach.”

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[giantroo]

 

[Flawed Genius]

Eddie!

 

[bhoysdontcry67]

Welcome Ford man.

 

[Bren]

Welcome

 

[marklovesbeer]

Future captain written all over him.

Nah, no idea who he is to be honest.
He’s a Shinboner now though. Good luck son!

 

[youdontmesswiththez]

Yesss! What a bargain.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Great way to round out the draft.

Welcome to the club Eddie!

 

[The Nostradamus]

pretty happy to get him this late

 

[billnats]

Brilliant result.

 

[Horace]

Edward Ford = The Lieutenant Colonel

 

[Roby]

Unbelievable.

Phillips and Ford my to fav players. You've done more than well. I guess I'll be watching every North game next year.

 

[tazaa]

Great way to finish the night!

 

[darko]

Great snag at the end.

 

[Phillyroo]

I’m driving the Ford bus!!!! Will be a star!

 

[Harvey Manfrenjensenden]

Clint Eastwood?

I ****ed him Oooohhhhhhh

 

[Wels Eicke]

Had completely forgotten about him. Great pick late.

 

[shinboner magic]

Unbelievable.

Phillips and Ford my to fav players. You've done more than well. I guess I'll be watching every North game next year.

What’s Ford bring to the table

 

[Twinkletoes]

Well I was certainly impressed on first viewing of his highlights. Smashes in and gives his all. Welcome aboard Eddie. My avatar is particularly excited to have you at Arden St.

 

[Snojet]

Touch of the Garner look about him in the clip.

 

[Shermanator]