Jacob Edwards 
Age: 18
202cm, 83kg
Sandringham Dragons

North Melbourne’s eye is firmly on the future, and has bolstered its forward/ruck stocks by selecting highly regarded Sandringham recruit, Jacob Edwards, with pick No.1 in the NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

The club acquired the 18-year-old on Wednesday night.

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Overlooked in last year’s national draft, Edwards has caught the eye of recruiters standing 202cm.

North national recruiting manager, Mark Finnigan, said the club’s plans for Edwards extended far beyond the 2021 season.

“We are really excited to bring Jacob to North and look forward to seeing him develop in the coming years,” Finnigan said.

“He fills a need on our list at 202cm, and gives us flexibility as a key forward or ruckman – both positions he’s excelled at in NAB League and school footy.

“His contested marking has been a strength, he reads the play well and his kicking ability for his size, in general play or for goal, is a real asset.

“Coming from Division 4 in the South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL) to being the No.1 pick in the mid-season draft is a real credit to him and Jacob should be really proud with what he has achieved in the past 18 months.

“Credit must be given to Mark Wheeler (Talent Lead) for identifying him and inviting him into the program and the work that Jackson Kornberg (Coach) and his coaches have done with him this year and his development.”

Finnigan said the priority in the short-term will be to ensure Edwards is supported as he completes his final year at school.

“We will now work closely with Jacob and his family to ensure his education is the priority,” he said.

“We have a long-term approach with Jacob so there’ll be no compromise when it comes to his education.”