South Australian captain Kodah Edwards has highlighted how time training with Zak Butters laid the foundation for a year where he reinforced his first round prospects.
As part of the AFL Academy, Edwards spent time ensconced in Port Adelaide's pre-season to give him an insight into the professionalism of an AFL environment.
Despite Edwards playing more of a forward role than Butters, the departing Power star's ruthlessness is something Edwards wants to be known for.
“I love the intensity he trained at and he's not scared of the contest or a bigger body and I wanted to implement it into my game,” Edwards told Zero Hanger.
“The speed he has in his game is something I want to use more.
“I spoke to him when I could but sometimes you watch in awe with his kicks and his hardness. I was lucky enough to cop a few inside kicks from him in the corridor.
“He's elite. I don't exactly play like him but the way he goes about it I want to take from him.”
Edwards admitted he did not always reach the heights in 2026 he had hoped, despite remaining firmly in first-round contention as a dynamic midfielder-forward.
The South Adelaide prospect entered the year as a top 10 fancy, but his name has since drifted somewhat after an up-and-down Under-18s National Championships.
An explosive and fearless ball magnet at his best, he has the capability of winning his own footy and getting forward to kick goals, as he showed during an All-Australian-winning carnival, but believes he has another level to reach.
“I wanted to be more consistent in some aspects, but I still think I showed what I wanted, and I played senior footy, which was a goal, and playing high half forward was fun," Edwards said.
"Reflecting on the year, it's been a huge year, but I've been happy with the opportunities I got."
"I had moments in the champs, but I wanted to be more consistent. I was still happy with what I showed. I was happy with my leadership, but from a performance side of things, I could have honed in on being more consistent, but I haven't had a terrible game unless I've been crook.”
The AFL Academy member has improved his ability to compartmentalise pressure as his balance between footy and life has grown.
Those around South Adelaide note Edwards' standards and work ethic which has always separated him from his peers.
“Chasing the player I want to be is a mindset I've always had,” Edwards said.
“I want to be complete. I feel like a lot of my game has hints of the sort of player I want to be, it's more just trying to bring it together – being clean and aggressive in the contest, using speed on the outside and breaking lines and impacting forward is something I've always done.
"So knowing my strengths and bringing them together: you can never really be a complete player but it's good to chase.”
He averaged 25 disposals and six clearances at Talent League level this year.
Late-season league opportunities against senior bodies rounded off his year nicely, with Edwards playing five games for the Panthers, averaging 15 disposals and three tackles.
“It was a dream of mine growing up. You look up to the league players so it was cool," Edwards said.
“It was contested and quick and I learned you have to be clean and quick and if you fumble, you get done.
“You can't shy away and you have to pick your moments and stay relevant on offence or defence throughout the whole game.”
Leadership has also been a key aspect for Edwards throughout his junior career and has taught him important lessons applicable to footy and life more broadly.
He speaks with great maturity and perspective and has grown with the role, having captained South Australia at Under-16s and Under-18s levels and the Panthers in the Talent League this year.
“You have to have a good balance between knowing when you need to play for the team and when it is your time to shine but you can't be 100 per cent on each side.
“Maturing in a way where my game is balanced and knowing when your moments will come.
“Also letting it come naturally. When I was younger I would overthink getting the boys up and about, but now it is natural and knowing you don't have to go above and beyond, if you are yourself, that's what you're asked to do.
“It gives you more of an open mind. I have a lot more gratitude for the roles I've been in and I think reflecting as a person is something which has been huge in my life because as a leader you have to reflect so that has improved in my personality.
“You learn so much and being in programs with lots of egos and heaps of dudes and footy environments, it's good to be yourself as well and not let the footy do all the talking.
“It's being yourself and the growth as a person has come from speaking up and not being scared. I'm someone who's caring, humble, passionate and driven and loves footy and I really care about the people around me so they're some of the values and things I want to abide by.
“Knowing that your teammates have backed you in and see you as a leader in the team and playing with an extra chip on your shoulder is really fun.”
Panthers Under-18s coach Brett Hudson praised his underrated toughness which complements his leadership.
"The way he treats and speaks to his teammates is really strong. He's not one of those top-end guys who is self-focused: he always helps other players get better," Hudson told Zero Hanger.
"He's always been able to do things with the footy and is such a tough matchup mid-forward."
