When he did make it onto the Crows’ list, he lacked the self-belief necessary to make it as one of the game’s elite.
This Sunday, Edwards will realise another feat when he joins the prestigious 300-game club.
Edwards, who turns 33 in August, said the milestone reflected his resilience in the game.
“The [300-game] milestone is a little bit of a reward for hanging in there for a long time,” Edwards said on Monday.
“Growing up, [playing 300 AFL games] wasn’t even on the radar. I was just looking to play some good footy with West Adelaide.
“I wasn’t really sure whether footy was what I wanted to do forever, because you just never know what’s going to happen. I’m rapt that I’ve been able to play 300.”
Edwards grew up in Wynarka, southeast of Adelaide, near Tailem Bend.
He followed his older brothers to West Adelaide in U13s, and was eventually picked up by the Crows with selection number 21 in the 1995 NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft.
The skilful teenager played 12 consecutive games after making his debut against Footscray in round 11 of the same season, but found himself languishing with Westies the very next year.
“I probably doubted myself for a long time in the early days, and I never had super confidence in myself that I was able to match it with the big guns in any league,” Edwards admitted.
“I always thought I was a pretty good player, but never really had the confidence to back myself in and that’s something I had to grasp. I had to learn not to be too hard on myself.”
Edwards switched between the forward and back pockets on his way to premiership medallions in 1997 and 1998, but was entrusted with a midfield role under new coach Gary Ayres in 2000.
“I had the confidence before Gary got to the club that I was good enough to play on the ball, but he was the one who really gave me the opportunity,” Edwards said.
“At some stage you need that opportunity on a consistent basis to get in there and prove yourself, and I guess I went from strength to strength from there.”
Edwards, although still much underrated outside his native SA, emerged as one of the most talented and consistent onballers in the competition.
The poised midfielder finished second in Adelaide’s best and fairest in 2002 and 2003, and represented Australia in the International Rules series of 2002.
Edwards, who currently holds the record for consecutive matches at West Lakes with 71, has missed just two games since round 19, 1998, and said he had no intention of slowing down.
“I’ve still been recovering really well from games. I haven’t noticed too much difference with that as I’ve got older to be honest, and that’s one of the reasons why I’m looking to play again next year.”
Coach Neil Craig said Edwards, who plans to start up a player management business with good mate Lleyton Hewitt after football, had been “sensational” for the club.
“300 games is a great achievement for Tyson,” Craig said.
“When you look at our footy club we’ve got Ben Hart, Mark Ricciuto, Andrew McLeod and now Tyson Edwards [all over 300 games] and, hopefully, we’ll have Simon Goodwin come up as well.
“That’s just a fantastic era for our footy club, and they [Edwards, Goodwin and McLeod] are all still playing outstanding footy.”
