Oakleigh Chargers defender Ed Richards surges into first-round contention in AFL draft

WITH black and white blood pumping through his veins, AFL draft bolter Ed Richards is hoping to continue his family’s rich association with the Collingwood Football Club.

Ed Richards at October’s draft combine. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

WITH black and white blood pumping through his veins, AFL draft bolter Ed Richards is hoping to continue his family’s rich association with the Collingwood Football Club.

Richards enjoyed a breakout TAC Cup season with the Oakleigh Chargers this year, rising with a bullet through the draft charts to emerge as a first-round contender.

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The 18-year-old’s links with Collingwood date more than a century before he was born — his great-great-grandfather Charlie Pannam Sr was a VFA premiership player in 1896, and a member of the Magpies’ VFL flag-winning sides in 1902 and 1903.

Ed Richards has surged through the draft boards this year. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Pannam Sr, an Australian Football Hall of Fame member, was the first player to reach 100 VFL appearances, with his sons Charlie Jr and Alby combining for 278 games and featuring in four Magpies premiership wins between 1917-36.

Richards’ grandfather, Ron, featured in Collingwood’s 1953 premiership win alongside brother Lou, who pioneered football entertainment with a decades-long career in television, radio and newspapers.

Did the cheeky Richards siblings ever pass on any advice?

“It was more Ronnie that was more the role model for me with footy,” Richards said.

“He passed on a couple of illegal moves he used to do back in the day that would probably get me weeks.

“He used to come to most of my games as a junior and watch them, would sit on the sidelines, so that was always good to see.”

The Hawthorn Citizens junior put little expectations on himself coming into the year, just keen to play as much football as he could.

He did not expect to be spoken about as a top-20 draft contender, but his pace and creativity off halfback has attracted the attention of AFL scouts.

Ed Richards complete the agility test at the draft combine. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Richards only cracked a spot on the Chargers’ list for the first time late last year on the back of an impressive trial game, with his form blossoming at Carey Grammar and in the second half of the TAC Cup campaign.

“Having not played Oakleigh last year or anything like that ... I’ve definitely been a bit surprised this year in terms of how far I have progressed,” Richards said.

“I don’t think it matters too much where I go in terms of first or second round. It doesn’t really bother me that much, so long as I get picked up somewhere.”

A Collingwood supporter growing up, it would be a fairytale to continue the family tradition with the Magpies, but he’ll be happy regardless of whether his name is called out on November 24.

“That’s probably the overall dream but if it doesn’t happen, it is not the end of the world,” Richards said.

“I think I would have a great opportunity at any club I went to.”