AFL 2023: Geelong draftee Mitch Edwards on his nervous wait to be taken

Mitch Edwards had no idea where he’d end up with a host of suitors on the second night of the draft. He opens up on that, his connection to another AFL club and more.

Mitch Edwards is now a Cat. Picture: Getty Images

Mitch Edwards was full of nerves leading into the second night of the AFL draft.

A chance of having his name called on night one, Edwards was made to wait to hear where he would be heading from Western Australia.

The monster 206cm talent, who was among the top ruck prospects available in the draft, had generated interest from a host of clubs in the second round, including Geelong, St Kilda and Carlton.

And if he slid past pick 40, Fremantle could match a rival bid on him given he was tied to the club as a graduate of their Next Generation Academy prospect.

“I knew I was a bit of a chance night one so I guess I watched that. And then yeah, the 24 hours heading up to night two pretty stressful I guess,” Edwards said.

New Geelong player Mitch Edwards. Picture: Alison Wynd

With the third pick of the night, the Cats pounced on the developing ruckman with the pick they had acquired in a live trade on night one with Essendon, adding to their long-term ruck stocks.

Edwards had no idea he would land at the Cattery, with Geelong keeping their cards close to their chest in the lead-up.

But it was the ideal result for Edwards, who had defied his parents orders and supported the Cats growing up.

“It was a great surprise, being a massive Cats fan when I was younger, so couldn’t ask for anything better, Edwards said.

“I don’t even know (why) to be honest. My family didn’t really support them – they do now, obviously. But yeah, I just picked a good team.”

Edwards was part of the Dockers’ NGA through his Indigenous links on his father’s side, and he plans to learn more about his cultural heritage in the future.

He is thankful for all the time and effort that Fremantle put into him to help him improve, which included a week of training during the pre-season.

“(Fremantle’s) done heaps for me. They’ve obviously provided me with a lot of resource,” Edwards said.

“I did a week with them, which was great, bit of a taste of an AFL pre-season which was good.”

Edwards in action for Western Australia. Picture: Getty Images

Weighing in at just 89kg at the draft combine, Edwrds knows he has to pump plenty of iron before he gets a look in at senior level.

But the South Mandurah product is long-term proposition that should be worth the wait.

He starred on the national stage at the national championships for WA, where he averaged 13.8 disposals, 35.8 hit-outs and 125 SuperCoach ranking points, represented the AFL Academy and dominated at WAFL Colts level for Peel Thunder.

Edwards, whose marking is one of his biggest strengths, also played five games in the reserves up against senior bodies.

“It was definitely a lot harder. I just did it to really develop myself, so when I got onto an AFL list I was used to the bigger bodies, which paid off,” Edwards said.

“Obviously want to play next year but that might not happen. Most likely won’t I guess, but I’m going to aim for that and just keep working towards when I can debut earlier.”

Originally published as AFL 2023: Geelong draftee Mitch Edwards on his nervous wait to be taken