SSP latest: Swan Districts’ forward Tom Edwards to train at Essendon, Harry Boyd joins St Kilda
Essendon are looking at adding a mature-age recruit who will play for the club in a practice match next month. Plus the Saints have brought in a new ruckman to aid Rowan Marshall in 2025.
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Essendon has invited Swan Districts’ key forward Tom Edwards to train with the club next week in a bid to win a list spot.
The 191cm goalkicker will arrive at Tullamarine on a mission to impress as the Bombers consider bolstering their forward stocks.
Edwards, 25, had an excellent campaign last season booting 39 goals and will rival Kaine Baldwin for Essendon’s last remaining list vacancy.
Brad Scott’s men lost veteran goalkicker Jake Stringer to GWS Giants in a trade last season and dropped spearhead Peter Wright from the senior steam amid a form slump.
In their absence, second-year star Nate Caddy and new small forward Isaac Kako will be given major opportunities in 2025 as Essendon look to more youth. And with the club on the lookout for more goals after Stringer’s departure, Edwards will get the chance to shine in the club’s scratch match against Western Bulldogs on February 15 at Whitten Oval.
The club is slated to play its official AFL pre-season match against Geelong on February 25 at GMHBA Stadium.
SAINTS LOCK IN NEW RUCKMAN
St Kilda has officially locked in SANFL ruck Harry Boyd for 2025, signing the Magarey Medallist in the Supplemental Selection Period.
While Boyd has been training with the Saints for most of the pre-season and it has been long expected the ruck signed at the club, St Kilda made the move official on Tuesday.
Saints footy boss David Misson said Boyd would add to the Saints’ ruck department, joining star Rowan Marshall, draftee Alex Dodson and developing Max Heath.
You’re a Saint, Harry! 😇
— St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) January 21, 2025
Watch the moment Harry Boyd’s AFL dream came true, announced by close friend and club physio, Tyler Goldstone. pic.twitter.com/C4awuZv055
“Harry comes to us equipped with an abundance of ruck talent, and most importantly a drive to succeed having plied his trade across the VFL and SANFL in his pursuit of an AFL dream,” he said.
“Alongside developing rucks Max Heath and Alex Dodson, we’re hopeful that Harry will be able to learn from one of the best rucks going around in Rowan Marshall as he looks to make the most of his opportunity at the highest level.”
Boyd is widely expected to play consistent AFL football in 2025, with the 26 year old to allow Marshall to play forward of the ball.
Marshall was drafted as a forward but has spent the majority of his career in the ruck, but with Tim Membrey departing the club in the off-season the Saints are looking for some help for Max King.
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