This weekend the Club acknowledges a significant milestone achieved by one of the Demon’s best known and popular players, Tom ‘Leggies’ Edmonds. In this week’s Premier Division Round 8 match against Manly Warringah Wolves, Tom will notch up his 150th open-age game at Mike Kenny Oval. Tom will lead the team out alongside co-captain Luke Skrivanic.
Season 2022 is Tom’s 12th season of footy with the Demons. He is 27 years old and at the peak of his career.
Tom played junior footy with the Westbrook Bulldogs and won the Under 10 premiership in his first season in 2004. He played 105 games, kicked 48 goals and was runner-up Best & Fairest on two occasions in 2007 and 2009. He was a representative junior and participated in the Giants Academy in 2011/12.
Whilst still playing at Westbrook, Tom played his first game for the Penno Under 18s in 2010. He was just 15 years old and won the Best & Fairest that season. During Tom’s time with the Giants Academy, he was encouraged to move to the East Coast Eagles but thankfully he decided to pursue his career with the Demons.
At age 17, he played his first-grade debut in Round 1, 2012 at home ground Mike Kenny Oval against North Shore. He celebrated with a 21 pts victory and kicked his first senior goal. In 2012, he was adjudged the Best First Year Local Player winning the Ken MacRae Shield; he was joint winner with James Dunn.
Coincidentally, Round 1 in 2012 was also Chris Yard’s debut match as the Club’s senior coach, a position he would hold for a decade, before retiring at the end of 2021.
Tom was a member of the Premier Division Premiership sides in 2015 and 2017 and was voted Best Team Man in both those seasons. In season 2021, Leggies took over the captaincy from Tom Angel and in 2022, Luke Skrivanic joined him as co-captain.
Tom is a ferocious and fearless inside midfielder, he never stops running and is adept at winning centre-bounce clearances. He is a strong presence on the field, using his voice and setting an example for his teammates. He’s a great team man and a reliable performer. He’s a bit of an extravert and a quick-witted lively character, respected by his teammates and his peers on and off the field.
He’s a popular personality at the Club and is a positive role model for the next generation of players coming through the ranks. We wish him all the best in his 150th.
Go Penno!
