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| Personal information | |
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| Birth | 2 March 1984 , Samoa |
| Recruited from | Hampton Park/Seaford/Dandenong U18 |
| Height and weight | 184cm / 88kg |
| Playing career¹ | |
| Debut | Round 11, 4 June 2005, West Coast Eagles vs. Richmond, at M.C.G. |
| Team(s) | West Coast Eagles (2005)
4 games, 2 goals Kangaroos (2007-) 18 games, 23 goals |
| ¹ Statistics to end of 2005 season | |
| Career highlights | |
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Aaron Edwards (born 2 March 1984 in Samoa) is an Australian rules footballer for the North Melbourne Football Club.
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Early life
Edwards was born in Samoa to a Samoan mother and New Zealander father.1 He migrated with his family to Australia at the age of four and played rugby union until the age of 13 when he played soccer before trying Aussie Rules.2
In 2001, while still a junior playing in the Mornington Peninsula region, Edwards represented Samoa, playing for the Samoa national team in an international match against Nauru during Nauru's tour of Australia.
West Coast career
Edwards began his AFL at West Coast, after being taken in the AFL rookie draft. After teammates were forced onto the long-term injury list, he was elevated from the rookie list for a few games at senior level.
Had an influential debut game in West Coast's victory against Richmond in Round 11, 2005.
A combination of less impressive performances in his following three games, along with knee surgery, found Edwards de-listed from West Coast at the end of the 2005 season.
Post-West Coast career
In 2006 Edwards signed up with the Frankston Dolphins in the VFL.
Edwards had a sensational 2006 season with the Frankston Dolphins winning the Frosty Miller Medal for kicking the most goals in the home and away season. Described in the VFL record as the "Goalkicking Gladiator", he then reached his final tally of 100 goals in the Dolphins' semi-final. He also collected the J. J. Liston Trophy as the VFL's Best & Fairest player for 2006 with eighteen votes.
North Melbourne career
On 25 November 2006 the North Melbourne Football Club selected Aaron Edwards in the 2006 AFL Draft with their sixth round selection (82nd overall pick) effectively giving Edwards a rare second chance at elite level.
In 2007, Edwards began the season solidly, earning himself a spot in the senior side as a leading full-forward in the absence of Nathan Thompson. His game features hard leading and he has managed to kick more than a goal a game on several occasions as well as drawing attention for taking spectacular contested marks including a nomination for the Mark of the Year. Commentators consistently draw comparisons of Aaron Edwards game to Melbourne Demons small forward star Russell Robertson.
During the 2008 season, Edwards broke his leg playing against the Sydney Swans, after which he would miss most of the season and fortunately return in round 20.3
References
External links
- Aaron Edwards profile on the Official AFL Website of the West Coast Eagles Football Club
- Aaron Edwards's statistics from AFL Tables
- AFL.com.au article - Worth the wait for Edwards
- Edwards gets a second Chance
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