A STERLING job against one of the league's toughest defenders has given new Kangaroos forward Aaron Edwards confidence that he can make it in the AFL.

Playing in just his eighth AFL game and fourth at the Kangaroos, Edwards took eight marks matched up against Geelong's Matthew Scarlett - a two-time All-Australian and 2003 best-and-fairest winner.

"He was real tight early, but as the game wore on I found a bit more space on him and got a few marks which is great for my confidence," Edwards said before training.

"Now, week-in, week-out I know that I can play on those players.

"It's my first year at the club and I'm getting a bit more comfortable on the big stage. Hopefully, I can continue that throughout the season."

It was arguably Edwards' best game for his new club since arriving at the Kangaroos after stints at West Coast and VFL side Frankston.

Scarlett led the Cats in rebounds from defensive 50 last year, but was denied the chance to do so on Sunday as Edwards ran hard up the ground and dragged his opponent away from the goals.

"He's a true full-back and I think he likes it close to goal," Edwards said.

"He was going to stick on me where ever I went so I thought I'd move up the ground and try to get the ball a little further up the ground where it's a little unfamiliar for him.

"It worked out all right."

Edwards, who hopes to nail down the centre half-forward position, said it was important to earn the respect of his teammates with strong performances on the field, given his difficult start at the Kangaroos.

On the eve of the season, secret police recordings surfaced which allegedly showed Edwards talking to a convicted drug dealer in 2003.

He is thankful the Kangaroos did not rush to judgement.

"It happened to pop its head up when I got to a new club and I didn't want the club to look at me like that," Edwards said.

"The club are happy with the way I've gone about things since I've got here and it's a clean slate."