We are not the first to observe that the path is sometimes rough for a son following in the footsteps of a famous father in the world of sports, but the AFL is unique in its father-son selection protocol.
Just because your dad was good at footy, however, is not guarantee that you as his son are going to enjoy the same success.
The Adelaide Crows are confronted with that very proposition as the club prepares to recruit its second father-son selection in two years. They followed that route with Ben Jarman, son of dual-premiership winner and Tyson Edwards’ teammate Darren Jarman last year.
This draft season, they are out to secure Jackson Edwards, who will have the unenviable task of trying to fill the boots of Crows’ great Tyson Edwards.
Tyson Edwards played 321 games for Adelaide, commencing in 1995 and concluding following 2010. As a midfielder, he did not boot a lot of goals, but in 16 seasons, he averaged 19 disposals per game and was on ground many times in the back-to-back premiership seasons of 1997 – 98.
The Crows have officially submitted documentation to the AFL of their desire to nominate Jackson Edwards for father-son status ahead of the national and rookie drafts. The Crows’ divulged that they would take the rookie draft route with Jackson.
Crows’ list manager Justin Reid was quoted by Fox Footy as saying, “There are no guarantees for us or Jackson, but there is an ongoing commitment between the club and the Edwards family that we will take Jackson in the rookie draft if he is available.”
Jackson may attract some bids from other clubs, in which case the Crows would have to match the bid.
He has been playing in the SANFL, where he has been a standout prospect. He made four appearances there after averaging 24 disposals in the Under 18 All-Australian national carnival, so at this early stage, it appears to be a clear case of “Like father/like son,” but it is far too soon to predict if Jackson will have the sort of impact his father produced.
