North’s inspirational skipper reaches 50 SANFLW games

By ZAC MILBANK

North Adelaide captain Jess Edwards initially didn’t want to play Australian Football. 

Gaelic Football and Softball were here priorities until her sister asked her to fill in for Adelaide University in 2014.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 34-year-old recalled how she borrowed boots and shorts to line up for the Blacks before returning to play a full season in 2016.

It led to Edwards being a part of the Roosters’ historic first term to play in Round 1 of 2017, the first match for the Hostplus SANFLW League.

Quickly establishing herself as a genuine ball-magnet of the competition, Edwards made the brave move across the border to play for Collingwood’s VFLW team before being drafted by AFLW club Carlton.

Lining up in 16 AFLW matches for the Blues, Edwards returned home for the 2022 season, where she was an integral cog in North’s 2022 SANFLW premiership.

Now she is deservedly approaching her 50th Hostplus SANFLW League game, against Glenelg at Prospect Oval on Saturday.

No doubt North’s long-sleeved No.2 will continue to educate her teammates just as she does for her students at Loreto College, where she is charge of the Reception to Year 6 Physical Education program.