In true Michael Erdeljac fashion, the Cricket Albury-Wodonga chairman had rocked up to Walbundrie for his first training session in the late 1980s with an abundance of energy.

"I got out on the track and Wayne Edwards had the ball and I started calling: 'Edo, Edo, Edo'," Erdeljac said.

"The problem was he thought I was calling him something else.

"He started chasing me and was going berserk.

"I thought he was going to kill me.

"I finally got it through to him what I was calling him and we got on like a house on fire after that."

Edwards, who died last week aged 58 after a long battle with cancer, had a knack of making mates everywhere he went.

The silky left-footer made a lasting impression at North Albury, Jerilderie, Osborne, Rand, Walbundrie and Border-Walwa with many of his former teammates having a tale to tell.

Few understood him better than Ted Miller.

Miller knew Edwards from his teenage years and lured him to Walbundrie from North Albury after he'd had enough of Ovens and Murray football.

Miller lost count of how many pairs of football boots he gave the star recruit from his sports store over the years.

"I can't remember 'Edo' paying for any," Miller laughed.

"That was part of the deal.

"He became a bit of a legend out at Walbundrie.

"People ask me who were the best players I've coached in the Hume league and he was in the best three or four when in full flight.

"Players always walked a bit taller when he was on the ground, not that he would go looking for it."

The Collingwood-mad supporter played some of his best football for Walbundrie with the highlight being the Tigers' 1989 grand final victory against East Lavington.

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After a tumultuous build-up to the match, the cat-like forward turned it on.

Teammate Phil Star said Edwards laid the foundations early.

"Early in the game he did some really good things when the pressure was on," Star said

"We weren't going forward all that often.

"'Dobby' (Darryl Jordan) was reasonably well held by 'Franksy' (Greg Franks) that day and 'Edo' made a difference with a couple of goals.

"His penetration with his kicking was magnificent.

"He was really popular with his teammates and just fitted into the community."

Edwards' funeral will be held at Sacred Heart Church in North Albury from 1pm on Friday.