Postby bennymacca » Fri May 28, 2010 10:47 am
Edwards does get his farewell game.
I bet you anything that Craig didn't want to give him one, and Triggy sat him down and told him that he will be getting a farewell game no matter what
CROWS veteran Tyson Edwards is to have his farewell game after all. The shock retirement of the Adelaide Football Club premiership hero on Thursday night took another dramatic turn this morning when Crows coach Neil Craig offered the 33-year-old the tribute match he craved.
Craig revealed his decision to not guarantee Edwards a farewell game - based on his principle that selection must be earned at the Adelaide Football Club - did not sit easy with him at 6.30pm yesterday while many Crows members and supporters made their anger known.
"I had to make a decision that was best for the club rather than my selection principles that I uphold," said Craig.
"It is a decision on what is best for the Adelaide Football Club - and a fantastic opportunity to say farewell."
Edwards said he wanted the tribute match as the moment to say goodbye.
"And I am grateful Neil had the courage to give me that game," said Edwards, who today admitted his retirement was based on the realisation "the game has caught up with me".
"It is best for me - and best for the football club that they play a younger guy, spend more time on them rather than worry about what they do with me."
Edwards will finish his 16-season AFL career on 321 games by playing against Fremantle at AAMI Stadium on Saturday week.
Edwards quit on Thursday after Craig dropped him from the 22-man Adelaide team to play St Kilda at Etihad Stadium tomorrow night - and could not guarantee he could orchestrate a farewell match next weekend.
But late last night, as he considered the fans' backlash against the messy end to Edwards' distinguished career, Craig locked in a tribute match for Edwards.
Craig and Edwards are detailing the dramatic events that have again thrown the Crows into the headlines with a media conference at West Lakes at 9am.
