It is not exactly a David vs Goliath battle, it is more of a Goliath vs another Goliath skirmish this weekend as Mitch Edwards sets himself for a monumental clash with North Melbourne's Tristan Xerri. 

After debuting in Round 1 against Fremantle, Edwards has impressed many with his athleticism and ruck craft, playing six consecutive games as he commences his journey in the Hoops. 

Perhaps there is nobody greater to guide the young Cat than one of Geelong's best ever players in the position, with three-time premiership ruckman Brad Ottens providing tutelage for Edwards. 

But this weekend will be a great early test for the 20-year-old as he plies his trade against one of the game's most dominant forces, with Ottens saying the battle against Tristan Xerri this weekend will be a brilliant experience for Edwards.

"It is a great test, I mean Tristan is one of the best," Ottens told Cats Media. 

"Max Gawn is the best ruckman to ever play the game in my opinion, but in the competition right now, Tristan and Brodie Grundy are probably not far behind.

"Mitch has come up against some really good opponents already, but this will probably be one of the bigger tests for him.

"The ruck is a hard position because you are playing against these big, strong men every time you come out onto the field. Tristan Xerri is one of the best and it is going to be a great test for the big fella, but it is great because you want to be playing against the good players.

"That is where a lot of your improvement will come from, regardless of the result you are learning so much from the best opponents."

Edwards is expected to shoulder a heavy ruck load this weekend with Mark Blicavs missing, but it is a challenge that Ottens believes he is more than ready for. 

Xerri missed three games through suspension but still ranks strongly in most relevant statistical categories, sitting first in the AFL for average contested possessions per game, third for clearances and second for tackles. 

It is certainly not a one-off with Xerri stringing together back-to-back brilliant seasons in 2024 and 2025, able to impact stoppages with his size and exquisite craft around the ground. 

But Edwards has been fantastic in his own right despite being so early in his journey, ranking 12th in the AFL for total hit-outs and 15th for hit-outs to advantage so far in 2026. 

Ottens said that his brilliant attitude and lack of ego has played a big part in his successful career so far, with Edwards able to take any challenge in his stride. 

"He has got a great temperament, Mitch," Ottens said. 

"He is the sort of kid that when things are going great, he remains level headed but when things aren't going all that well, he is able to put things behind him and move on to the next contest.

"He has got a great attitude with that in that respect, and he is building in confidence too. He is playing more, he is coming off a couple of years where he hasn't played so every game he plays, he is improving.

"His body is getting bigger and stronger, so it will be an amazing test.

"I am really excited for him and just really happy to see him playing, just adding to helping the team as well."