West Coast key defender Harry Edwards reflects on stepping out of McGovern, Barrass’ shadows after breakout game against North

It was the breakout game six years in the making. But after almost being traded, Harry Edwards is finally ready to step out of the shadows of some West Coast heroes.

It was the breakout game six years, a near-trade and plenty of disappointment in the making.

But after spending the first half of his AFL career stuck behind premiership defenders Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass, Harry Edwards is finally ready to step out of their shadows.

The 24-year-old key defender enjoyed his best game yet for the Eagles against North Melbourne in Bunbury on Sunday, racking up a career-high 13 intercept possessions.

West Coast will rue a 10-point loss but Edwards can hold his head high as the highest-ranked Eagle on the ground after holding Nick Larkey goalless for the first time this season.

Harry Edwards has quickly become one of the Eagles’ most important players. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“You’ve got to remember that forwards are going to kick goals on you, especially when you lose by a bit,” Edwards told this masthead post-match. “You’ve got to find a way to get back on the horse and keep getting better.

“I didn’t start the way I would’ve liked but the past month or so, I’ve played some better games. I’m really happy with that and I want to build off that.”

It’s been an elongated coming of age for Edwards.

After entertaining interest from Melbourne during last year’s trade period, Edwards re-signed for three seasons with Barrass’ departure opening up a spot down back.

In round one against Gold Coast, Edwards conceded six goals to Suns spearhead Ben King in an 87-point loss. In round three against Fremantle, he was subbed out and then dropped the following week against GWS.

Jesse Hogan’s nine-goal feast prompted the Eagles to recall Edwards but he was dropped for a second time in 2025 after Essendon’s Peter Wright kicked six goals on him.

Since being recalled, Edwards has enjoyed one of the best five-match stretches of his career. Coinciding with McGovern’s nervous wait to face the AFL’s concussion panel, Edwards has limited the impact of Tom Lynch (two goals), Riley Thilthorpe (two goals), Shannon Neale (one goal) and now Larkey.

Edwards said striking the balance between intercept and lockdown defending has helped him rediscover confidence in his game.

The Eagles blew a chance to win their second game of 2025 on Sunday. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“You never want to be out of the team but sometimes, a wake-up call is what you need,” he said. “Mini (McQualter) has been really good about it.

“I went back to the WAFL for a bit and worked on what I needed to work on and came back in some better form.

“It’s one of the hardest parts about playing back in AFL footy. You’re going to have goals kicked on you and you need to put it in the back of your mind and move on. I think I’ve gotten better at that over the last month or so.

“My contest is something I really pride myself on. I always want to improve on that and have that at a high level. Staying involved in ball movement is probably another one that I want to get better at.

“It’s mark vs. spoil. It’s whatever is there for the taking. If it’s there to mark, I’ll try and mark it and vice versa with spoiling. It’s just making sure your opponent doesn’t get the ball.”

Edwards is set to play his 50th game for West Coast this Sunday against Carlton, pitting him against Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow.

In an alternate universe, Edwards could be playing for the Demons. But he’s glad he resisted Melbourne’s overtures to remain an Eagle.

“It was interesting,” Edwards said of last year’s trade period. “I’ve been behind TB and Gov for a long time and now I find myself, in the short-term, without both of them.

“It’s been a quick transition but I’m happy I stayed. I love this football club.”

Edwards said the plan is to form a long-term partnership with SSP signing Sandy Brock but he also hopes the AFL concussion panel will find in McGovern’s favour.

“It’s not easy but I’m loving the challenge,” Edwards said. “Gov is still around. I’m not sure when his hearing is with the concussion panel but he’s a great friend and a great mentor.

“I respect and love everything he’s done for me across my career.

“You have to focus on the now. We’re playing games of footy and he’s dealing with what he’s dealing with. We love him and we want it to go his way.”

Originally published as West Coast key defender Harry Edwards reflects on stepping out of McGovern, Barrass’ shadows after breakout game against North