Crow Charlie Edwards had one word to describe how he felt after his debut AFL game on Saturday night, and that was “elation”.

Edwards lined up in his first senior match for Adelaide in its clash against St Kilda at Adelaide Oval after honing his craft in the SANFL for the past two seasons.

Speaking to AFC Media after the Crows’ emotion-charged one-point win, Edwards said making his debut in front of a home crowd with a large contingent of family, friends, and his partner in the stands was a memory he will never forget.

“The first word that comes to mind is elation,” Edwards said.

“That was unbelievable - an unbelievable feeling - and to have so many friends and family here after the long wait it’s made it all worth it.

“To be honest, I reckon the build up was the toughest part, getting out there was a bit more of a relief than anything else. Getting tickets sorted, getting flights sorted, it was pretty full on, but so fun.

“Pippa my girlfriend, we’ve been together three years now, and she’s studying law science at the Australian National University in Canberra, so we do long distance, Mum and Dad are from Bendigo, my siblings, and then the community I’ve met in Adelaide, especially from doing the Kokoda Trek, it’s been so special.”

The 20-year-old, who the Crows selected with Pick No.21 at the 2023 AFL Draft, made an impressive showing against the Saints, finishing with 18 disposals, five clearances, four marks, and 474 metres gained.

Edwards said having key forwards Riley Thilthorpe and Taylor Walker ahead of the ball made his job easier in his first AFL outing.

“Kicking to Filthy and Tex - we were missing Fog tonight - but guys like that make things so much easier as a midfielder, when you can just kick it on their heads and they do the rest,” Edwards said.

“I've also been pretty lucky, playing SANFL the past two years, I've had guys like Toby Murray and (former Crow) Chris Burgess to kick to, so it makes the step up so easy.”

Edwards also reflected on the challenges of breaking into the AFL side and the journey to his debut, with perseverance and hard work being the keys to earning a debut.

“It’s been very hard at times,” Edwards said.

“I knew getting drafted I was a long way back. If you had told me at the start of my draft year that I was going to get drafted, let alone in the first round, I would’ve called you crazy.

“But now it just feels so worth it. I feel like I’ve still got a lot more to give as well which is exciting.

“The crowd and the Crows fans, running and high-fiving them after the game was so fun, and to have that experience in my first game, it makes it all the sweeter to get that one-point win.”

The win capped an emotional week for the Club, with the sudden passing of Jaryd Dawson, brother of Skipper Jordan Dawson.

Edwards said the whole club had banded together to support each other and players were determined to make their Skipper proud.

“It’s been a tough week to be honest with you,” Edwards said.

“But to see the way the boys and the staff wrapped their arms around Daws and then myself as well as an extension of that, I couldn’t be prouder to be a Crow.

To get that win with a group that I’m so close with, to have family and friends here, it feels like it’s all come together tonight.”