Having often been the only indigenous player in the team in his early years at Richmond, Shane Edwards will line up for his 250th AFL game knowing things are vastly better for the recruits that have followed in his footsteps.
The unassuming utility has quietly chalked up career milestones and will add another on Sunday when the Tigers host Carlton at the MCG.
Edwards’ on-field achievements have been significant. He played a key role in the Tigers’ 2017 premiership, earned All-Australian honours last season and stood in as captain earlier this year when Trent Cotchin and his deputies were injured.
The 30-year-old has also thrived as a mentor to the Tigers’ growing indigenous cohort.
Richmond had a record-breaking five indigenous players in their team that faced Gold Coast in round 16, with Edwards joined by Daniel Rioli, Sydney Stack, Shai Bolton and debutant Derek Eggmolesse-Smith.
It is a far cry from the years when Edwards – the only indigenous player to achieve 200 games at Richmond, let alone 250 – would line up for games such as the annual Dreamtime fixture as the only indigenous player on his team.
“The club’s in a really good position to have our indigenous recruits really flourish,” Edwards told AAP.
“It’s something we’ve been challenged with, especially probably five or 10 years ago. And it shows that the culture of the club’s in a really good place and our talent level, especially with the indigenous boys, is probably at an all-time high – definitely from when I’ve been around, that’s for sure.”
A key development at Punt Road has been the establishment of the Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI).
The institute serves as a training and education centre for indigenous youth, and Edwards has been involved for a number of years.
“I suppose it’s a place where indigenous players, or anyone associated with the club, can feel welcome,” said Edwards, who highlighted KGI director Aaron Clark and Tigers development coach Xavier Clarke as other key role models.
“They know that there’s a place where they can be around other indigenous people and people that are genuinely interested in where they’re from and what they’re doing.
“There’s just an endless amount of support, and that’s an enormous difference to what it was.”
After a slow start to the season, the Tigers are poised to secure another top-four finish and Edwards believes the club’s leadership is a key factor.
“We’ve got probably 10 to 12 guys who could easily be in the leadership group,” he said.
“I think we’re a really diverse group as well … it puts us in good stead for the young guys coming through and their own leadership.”