Richmond great Shane Edwards has joined the Adelaide Crows’ football department in a dual-role as both Indigenous Player Development Manager and part of the club’s recruiting team.
Edwards retired from the AFL this year after a glittering career involving 303 games across 16 seasons, three premierships and an All-Australian selection.
The 33-year-old hails from South Australia and was drafted by Richmond from North Adelaide with pick No.26 in the 2006 national draft.
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Edwards said he was looking forward to the chance to extend his time within the football industry.
“I think I’ve got a bit to offer in that department (Indigenous Player Development), regardless of whether it’s my job title or not I would always be keen on helping out in that space, it’s something I’m very passionate about and looking forward to,” he said via the club website.
“And I’ve been working in the recruiting department at Richmond for the past four or five years so it’s always been a focus to try to move into that space when I finished playing.
“Myself and my partner Sam have always had that want to go back to Adelaide so we are glad to be making the move now.
“Talking to Justin Reid, Adam Kelly and my old teammate Dan Jackson, I grew up with Matty Wright at North Adelaide as a junior, and Richard Taylor – who is now in the recruiting department at the Crows and was already somewhat of a mentor of mine when he was at Richmond – there were a lot of connections that drew me to the club not to mention the exciting players that I will get to work with at Adelaide.”
Edwards’ arrival will see current Indigenous Player Development Manager, Jeremy Johncock, transition into a role as Indigenous Programs Manager.
Former Crows star Eddie Betts earlier this year called on clubs to do more to engage with their Indigenous players both past and present to better understand and deal with racism within the industry.
Betts also urged clubs to investigate their treatment of First Nations people after horrific allegations were made regarding former Hawthorn officials including four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson.
