Ruckman Jacob Edwards to risk injury to play with mates before being picked up by Kangaroos

The Roos are set to take 202cm Sandringham Dragons ruckman Jacob Edwards in the mid-season draft, but not before he plays one final game for his NAB League side despite suggestions he should sidestep it.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 10: Jacob Edwards of the Dragons kicks for goal during the NAB League Boys match between the Northern Knights and the Sandringham Dragons at Preston City Oval on April 10, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Grimes/AFL Photos)

Athletic ruck forward Jacob Edwards is headed for North Melbourne but only after pledging to play a final game for the Sandringham Dragons this weekend.

The Herald Sun understands Edwards resisted the suggestion from some close to him he should withdraw from this weekend’s clash against VFL side Gold Coast to avoid the chance of injury.

Coburg forward Sam Lowson and WAFL star Marlion Pickett were both hurt in the days leading into the 2019 mid-season draft, with Lowson (ankle) overlooked but the Tigers taking Pickett despite finger surgery.

But 202cm Edwards, who will nominate today ahead of the Wednesday mid-season draft, was adamant he was to play his fourth game of the year for Sandringham.

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He has mixed school and NAB League commitments and played school footy last weekend as he recovered from a concussion.

Sandringham talent manager Mark Wheeler said on Monday Edwards was certain to nominate.

And with North Melbourne four premiership points and 18.9 percentage points behind 17th-placed Hawthorn, the Roos will take the first pick in the mid-season draft.

Jacob Edwards will nominate today ahead of the Wednesday mid-season draft.

North Melbourne is open to offering Edwards a longer-term deal than the 18 months he requires as part of his nomination.

Wheeler said Edwards was keen to test himself in the AFL and while he could take time to develop a 2021 AFL game wasn’t beyond him.

He said he was so humble he wasn’t sure if he would be picked for the Sandringham game against Gold Coast’s VFL side.

“Jacob wants to play so potentially it’s his last game of football for the Dragons. He likes his mates and he’s only played three games for the Dragons all up so if he gets drafted he will be playing off four games in the NAB League,” he said.

“He is very grounded, very excited, and like all of them they don’t care where the footy is played, they just want to play at a high level.

“He is part of the new prototype of rucks. He is very mobile, he covers the ground well, and he’s got good skills. There is a lot of upside to him but we liken him to the Tim English-style ruckman.

“He just needs to put some more size on his frame. But he understands the game and he’s fairly brave in the air.

Edwards is keen to test himself in the AFL and a 2021 AFL game might not be beyond him.

“I think he could play a game late (this year). It’s a big jump from NAB League even to the VFL, so it will be a jump but it will be a great experience. Can he handle playing against bigger bodies right now? Time will tell.

“Collingwood, Hawthorn and North Melbourne would be in the mix. There is a need for him at all three clubs and he would suit their development plans. Whoever gets him, they have three full years of development before he hits his full level.”