When Shaun Edwards was coming through the junior ranks, success was never far away.

He played for St Mary's Football Club in the Northern Territory.

The club's senior team has won 31 premierships in 62 years and they've only missed the finals twice.  Ever.

Flags and photos line the walls across two large rooms in the St Mary's clubrooms.

Quite simply, they are one of the country’s most successful sporting teams. 

Maurice Rioli, Michael Long, Ronnie Burns, Cyril Rioli, Xavier Clarke and Raphael Clarke are among some of St Mary’s most decorated alumni.

Edwards remembers the Clarke brothers returning to run junior training sessions. 

He said they helped inspire him to become an AFL player.

Edwards and Jake Long were teammates in a number of under-age premiership sides. 

“I was pretty fortunate, I had a pretty good age group.  In the end I would have won about five or six flags, so I was pretty lucky,” Edwards said.

“We went through a few years undefeated.

“St Mary’s is a big family club.  Michael Long is from here, Cyril Rioli – it’s a powerful club in Darwin.”

In year 9, Edwards earned a scholarship to Melbourne Grammar, an elite school nearly 4,000 kilometres away.

He returned home during the school holidays, but getting back on the plane to return to Melbourne was never easy. 

“I was 13 or 14 so it was obviously a bit of an adjustment coming from the relaxed lifestyle in Darwin, then coming to the big smoke and Melbourne Grammar,” he said. 

“It was definitely challenging.  There were a lot of times I didn’t want to get back on the plane.

“Dad and Nanna had to push me back on the plane and it was all worth it in the end. 

“I was fortunate to spend four years at a really good school.  I’m rapt I did it but there were definitely a lot of challenging times.”

From Melbourne Grammar, Edwards moved to Sydney after he was drafted by GWS as one of the start up club’s zone selections.

He played 12 games in two seasons there, before he returned to Melbourne when he was traded to the Bombers.

Edwards is trying to win a spot in the Essendon senior team for this week’s Dreamtime at the ‘G clash.

Almost half way through his fifth year in the AFL system, Edwards has 21 senior games to his name.

Winning a regular spot has been a challenge, but Edwards is well versed is overcoming the obstacles presented to him during the pursuit of his dream.  And success has never been far away.