Toby Bedford Biography

Magpies coach Craig McRae vows to become a better role model, revealing even his wife told him off for aiming a sarcastic gibe at a Greater Western Sydney player.

McRae escaped sanction from the AFL but was given an official warning after saying "well done" to Toby Bedford after the Giants tagger gave away a free kick in Collingwood's 52-point loss.

"I understand for the look of the game it's not what we wanted, for the AFL or for young coaches aspiring to be more than that. I apologise for that. I don't think it's good for the game," McRae said.

Fremantle secures Luke Jackson from Melbourne in a trade that involved a side deal with GWS sending Toby Bedford to the Giants.

The Demons gained pick 13, Fremantle's future first-round pick and future second-round pick (tied to the Dockers) in exchange for Jackson, picks 44 and 67.

Pick 44 went the way of the Demons after they agreed to trade small forward Bedford to the Giants, and they passed it on to Fremantle in the Jackson deal.

"Luke has been our number one priority all year and obviously throughout the trade period," Fremantle's head of player personnel David Walls said.

"He's got so much versatility and so much scope to improve as a player. We’re really only scratching the surface with what he can do."

Despite having a three-year contract offer from the Demons, Toby Bedford requests a trade to Greater Western Sydney.

"While we are disappointed that we will be losing Toby, we understand and respect his decision to pursue further opportunities," Melbourne list manager Tim Lamb said in a statement.

Toby Bedford has been involved in 10 AFL games so far in 2022, eight of them as the medical substitute and six of them spent unused.

It leaves him ranked No.5 in the League for most games spent as substitute since it returned to the game in 2021 and No.1 for most games as an unused substitute.

"During the games, I'm just watching from the bench but I'll always try and keep myself in the game at all times. I'll try and emotionally keep involved. I'll watch the boys and encourage them when they're coming off," Bedford said.

"It's been tough at times, but I go there not hoping to get on but knowing that there's a possibility that I will. I just need to try and focus on the game at all times. If an opportunity does come, I'll always try and take it with two hands."

Toby Bedford makes his AFL debut for Melbourne at Perth Stadium with 8 disposals (2 kicks and 6 handballs), a mark and 2 tackles in a 27-point loss to West Coast.

Melbourne select Toby Bedford with pick No.75 in the 2018 National Draft.

Melbourne select Toby Bedford with pick No.75 in the 2018 National Draft.

“My speed and my tackling pressure are my main strengths, and my willingness to work hard,” Bedford said.

“Obviously it’s a big jump to be able to compete with these players so that’s probably the biggest challenge.”