At times there was little relief for West Coast’s defenders in 2022 and, if you look for the positives, the experience gained from dealing with an oversupply of ball coming into the backline should hold the developing youngsters in good stead moving forward.

Edwards falls into that basket, having more than doubled his previous 11 appearances with 17 games last season.

Unfortunately, the 200cm backman didn’t taste victory for the season, though, after being omitted before the round four win over Collingwood and also missing the triumph at home against Essendon.

But Edwards, the Emerging Talent winner in 2021, was asked to handle some big assignments, especially in the back half of the year after Jeremy McGovern went down with broken ribs and ended the year in good form.

Standout performance: Up for the RAC Derby fight

The Eagles were massive underdogs for the crosstown clash in round 22 but threw everything at Fremantle early before doing everything possible to hold the tide as the Dockers got on top.

West Coast’s backline was outstanding, led by Tom Barrass and Shannon Hurn, and Edwards produced one of his best games of the year.

The now 22-year-old had a match-high six spoils, half-a-dozen intercepts, took three intercept marks and had 12 touches on a ferocious night at the footy, and carried his good form into the final round against Geelong.

Season averages

Disposals – 9.9

Pressure acts – 6.5

Marks – 5.5

Spoils - 5

Rebound 50s – 1.7