It's been a tough season for the forward with a pre-season indiscretion causing him to miss the first five games of 2009. Despite some encouraging performances in his first games back, Edwards was dropped by caretaker coach Darren Crocker after the club's Round 12 loss to Adelaide.
Named only as an emergency for the match against Richmond, Edwards had a day out in the VFL amassing 25 possessions, nine marks, six inside 50's and two goals against the Northern Bullants. The effort will go a long way to earning him another chance at AFL level.
Matt Campbell also overcame another hurdle in his bid to return to the Kangaroos' team with two goals in North Ballarat's four point loss.
The Roosters had all the running in the opening term, kicking three goals to nil and went into the first break with a 21 point lead. The second quarter was a more even affair, but with a 22 point buffer in hand at the main change, coach Gerard FitzGerald could be forgiven for thinking his side would go on to register a big win.
Cameron Cloke ignited the Bullants in the second half and kicked five goals for the match. His side had the ascendancy at three quarter time and eventually won by four points.
Bill Driscoll booted three goals for the Roosters, while Myles Sewell, Stephen Clifton and Edwards were among the best on a disappointing day for the reigning premiers.
Of North Melbourne's aligned players, Cruize Garlett put in a solid performance with 19 possessions and a goal, while Josh Smith took four marks and had 15 possessions. Ed Lower continued his good form with 17 possessions and six marks.
The Kangaroos' two aligned teams will collide this week, as North Ballarat take on Werribee at Northern Oval.
Warren Benjamin showed more signs of improvement at reserve level and had 20 possessions to compliment two goals in his team's big win.
Jesse Smith looked well on track in his second match back before hamstring soreness forced the midfielder from the ground. (view story)
It was a disappointing end for Smith, who had been in great form before the injury. He’d picked up 19 possessions and eight clearances in just 47 minutes of game time.
North Ballarat 3.7 6.12 8.13 11.15-81
Northern Bullants 0.4 3.8 9.9 12.13-85
Northern Bullants
Goal Kickers: C. Cloke 5, J. Saddington 2, J. Garlett 2, M. Robinson, A. Gianfagna, J. Bannister
Best Players: R. Hadley, D. Ellard, C. Cloke, J. McCorkell, J. Bannister, A. Iacobucci
North Ballarat
Goal Kickers: B. Driscoll 3, A. Edwards 2, M. Campbell 2, J. Smith, J. Spolding, B. Goodes, C. Garlett
Best Players: M. Sewell, A. Edwards, S. Clifton, B. Goodes, B. Driscoll, C. Garlett
Matt Campbell - 10 possessions, 2 clearances, 2 goals
Aaron Edwards - 25 possessions, 9 marks, 2 goals, 6 inside 50's
Cruize Garlett - 19 possessions, 3 marks, 1 goal
Ed Lower - 17 possessions, 6 marks
Josh Smith - 15 possessions, 4 marks, 1 goal
Shannon Watt - 10 possessions, 2 marks, 3 spoils
Michael Wundke - 9 possessions, 3 marks
Warren Benjamin - 20 possessions, 5 marks, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50's, 8 tackles (reserves)
Jesse Smith - 19 possessions, 8 clearances, 4 tackles (reserves)
