As legend Paul Newman ends his tenure and, with co-coach Sam Sheldon also to depart the role, 200-gamer Edwards will take the keys and try and drive one of country football’s all-time great sides to continued success.
Initially unsure of his interest in the high-pressure role, the three-time premiership player said the backing of his teammates made pursuing the role possible.
‘‘It’s something I’ve thought about for a while, it’s a big decision to take on the job, with all the time that goes in behind the scenes,’’ Edwards said.
‘‘I’ve been talking to a couple of guys about it the last three or four months, initially it was more a no than a yes for me.
‘‘But I’ve really warmed to the idea, mainly in the last couple of weeks after talking to the boys for some confirmation, I feel I’ve really got the support of the boys. ‘‘I’m really excited, but I’m keen to really concentrate on this year so we don’t leave anything behind.’’
Edwards canvassed the group’s wide age bracket in examining the chance to take over a side which has won 80 of its past 81 games.
‘‘I tried to get across a broad range of the guys because it’s a pretty diverse group; there’s young guys like Josh Dillon and Brad Whitford right through to Kayne Pettifer, who’s nearly 40,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s a good mix and I wanted to get a view right across the group, because without their support you don’t get too far, they need to believe in the message.’’
While his coaching background is not huge, Edwards had a ‘‘minor role’’ assistant coaching Kyabram’s under-18s in 2012 and 2013 alongside Newman, he will lean on his strong bonds with teammates to drive high standards.
‘‘I think coaching has changed a lot in the last 10 years, it’s a lot more individual, you’re almost coaching each player,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve got a background of playing with the boys and, as captain, I think you learn how to get the best out of them. You just hope that translates to coaching.’’
With great power comes great responsibility and Edwards acknowledged there was a daunting element to his incoming job, but to think Kyabram’s might revolves around one person misses the point.
‘‘You don’t want to be the guy that broke Kyabram, having been so successful recently,’’ he said.
‘‘But the more I’ve thought about it, you have to separate that, and the success is club-wide, it isn’t built on one coach or one player.
‘‘You take it out of the equation, it will be a different team and a different year, we will reset and go again. If you’re relying on your last year, you can’t really move forward.’’
18°C