Premiership Tiger Shane Edwards has joined the Adelaide Crows as the club’s Indigenous development manager and a member of the recruiting team.
Edwards – who was drafted from North Adelaide in 2006 – is set to return to South Australia after 303 games in yellow and black.
The 33-year-old retired earlier this year.
Edwards has worked with Richmond’s recruiting team over the past four years and is set to bring those skills to the Crows. Jeremy Johncock, who is the club’s current Indigenous player development manager, will stay on in a new role.
A three-time premiership player, Edwards told Adelaide’s website the move into recruiting was always part of his plans.
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“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,” Edwards said.
“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.”
Adelaide head of football Adam Kelly added: “First and foremost, it is Shane’s record of leadership and mentorship, and his obvious desire to support others to be their best that made him a great candidate for this role. “That he has been part of a highly successful environment for a long time, and that he brings with him a vast amount of football experience complements his suitability for the important role that he will play within our program.
“His decorated playing career is obvious – over 300 games, three premierships and All-Australian honours – but just as impressive is his standing in the game and reputation as a highly respected football person and proud Indigenous man.”