Having just won his 4th consecutive Ballarat FL best and fairest, Jarrod Edwards has two ambitions this weekend: for Redan to win the premiership and if the opportunity arises for him to live up to his nickname of "Jezza" and take a speckie when it counts."The boys have been waiting all year for me to take a big grab. Hopefully it can be this week," he said.
The 30-year-old plumber will again be heavily tagged as Redan take on East Point in one of the glamour Grand Finals of Victorian country football.
While East won the second-semi against Redan by a goal to earn the week off, Redan's experience may be pivotal, with 12 members of their team having played in at least one if not both of the back-to-back premierships in 2006 and 2007.
"The (Ballarat) competition all year has been very close," Edwards says. "Only percentage separated first from third. They have had the week off but at the same token, we were the No.1 qualifiers and were only just beaten in the second-semi despite playing poorly all day except for a burst in the last quarter.
"Twelve of us have played in premierships. We know what to do and what it takes."
"We also know it's going to take a big effort. It's 2-1 their way so far this year."
East Point was six goals ahead at three quarter time a fortnight ago before Redan's charge led to a thrilling finish.
Edwards is again likely to be shadowed but he says it's all part of the weekly challenge he has struck all year.
"Only once or twice have I had a free reign," he says.
Winner of the last four Henderson Medals and the last two Redan best and fairests, Edwards is taller and stronger than most ruck-rovers and is rarely beaten in one-on-one contests.
"For most of the last four years I've had someone follow me around. It's hard to stop a natural ballwinner. I try and prepare better than most fitness wise and looking after my body. It has made a difference."
While Redan has some of the who's who of Ballarat football in premiership players such as coach Brendan Peace, Ryan Waight, Ryan Knowles, Sam Giblett, Paul McMahon, Damian Horbury and Matthew Pitt, it also has some emerging younger ones, too, 16-year-old Darcy Watchorn the latest to make his senior debut in last week's preliminary final.
"It's always exciting when the young ones come in," said Edwards. "It was Darcy's first time playing against grown men. He was no game breaker but he could be if he can get another opportunity this week. He's lightning quick and has great potential and like the other young ones is doing everything he can to stay in the side.
"He's had some time this year with Nathan Buckley and has one of those AIS scholarships, so he's a real player in the making."
Given his time again Edwards says he might have lingered longer in the Big Smoke when he had the opportunity to be part of Footscray's then-supplementary list in the late 1990s.
"I'd just started an apprenticeship and I made the decision not to go (to Melbourne full-time). Hindsight tells me I should have stuck, but that's life. I was only just starting and having some of the success I have had here at Redan has made everything worthwhile."
Edwards played at VFL level with North Ballarat and has been a regular representative player in recent times since returning to club football. Edwards also skippered the VCFL Senior team in their thrilling last kick win against the VAFA at the Junction Oval clash this year.
He says the key to winning this weekend against one of the quality sides he has opposed is "teamwork".
"We play a team orientated style of football and as long as we have everyone contributing we know our best is going to be very competitive. It should be a great game."
By Ken Piesse
Article first published 16 September, 2009
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