Tyson Edwards led Adelaide to a stirring come-from-behind win over Essendon in game No.300 on this day six years ago.
Edwards became the fourth Crow to reach the 300-game milestone, following fellow Club legends Ben Hart, Andrew McLeod and Mark Ricciuto.
Underrated outside of South Australia, Edwards was a three-time runner-up in Adelaide’s Club Champion award, and finished third in the count on a further two occasions. He was also equal-fifth in the 2005 Brownlow Medal, just four votes shy of winner Ben Cousins.
One of the most consistent and durable team players in Club history, Edwards reached his 300th in typical fashion with little fanfare and fuss - such had been the story of his career.
But little did he know that the game itself would be remembered as arguably his greatest individual performance.
Adelaide was one of seven sides locked on five wins heading into Round 11 of the 2009 season. The Crows and Bombers were part of the mid-table logjam, making the Sunday afternoon clash at Etihad Stadium a critical part of both side’s finals aspirations.
The early signs were ominous for Adelaide. The home side kicked five of the first six goals to open up a 26-point advantage late in the opening term.
Injuries to captain Simon Goodwin, Patrick Dangerfield and Brad Symes, who was concussed in a heavy collision in the third term, made the task even more difficult for the undermanned Crows.
But it was Edwards who proved the midfield match-winner, leading the Club to one of its most memorable comeback victories.
He gathered an equal-career high 41 possessions and laid a career-best 10 tackles in a dominant performance. Edwards also had a match-high 15 contested possessions and nine clearances along with eight marks and four inside 50ms.
Adelaide closed the gap to Essendon through the second and third terms, but did not claim the lead until Jason Porplyzia finally put the visitors ahead in the early minutes of a tense final quarter.
The Crows held on for an eventual 16-point win in what was one of Edwards’ finest hours.
The hard-working Crow was deservingly awarded the three Brownlow votes and chaired off the field by close mates Michael Doughty and Scott Thompson.
June 7, 2009 – Round 11
ADELAIDE 3.0 9.0 15.2 21.4 (130)
ESSENDON 5.3 10.4 16.4 18.6 (114)
GOALS: Tippett 7, Knights 5, Douglas 2, Walker 2, Vince, McLeod, Dangerfield, Porplyzia, Maric
BEST: Edwards, Tippett, Knights, Vince, Bock, Thompson
ATTENDANCE: 39,458 at Etihad Stadium
Tyson Edwards: 22 kicks, 19 handballs, 10 tackles, nine clearances, eight marks, four inside 50ms
