Ben Jarman has described the “pretty special” moment he made history by becoming Adelaide’s first-ever father-son selection.
Jarman, 18, officially became a Crow as a father-son nominated rookie on Monday afternoon after the 17 other clubs opted not to take part in the AFL Pre-Season Draft.
Ben’s father Darren played 121 games for Adelaide, including the 1997 and 1998 Grand Final wins.
The brilliant forward also played 109 matches for Hawthorn where he was part of the 1991 premiership team. Darren’s brother Andrew played 110 matches for the Crows, while Ben’s uncle on his Mum Sue’s side of the family is 300-game Adelaide great Tyson Edwards.
Ben said he was honoured to be part of the family tradition at West Lakes.
“It’s pretty special with Dad playing at the Club and both my uncles. There’s a bit of history here,” he said on Monday.
“It was a long process, but I’m very excited now to get an opportunity on an AFL list. I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
Ben said his father had provided invaluable support throughout a sometimes stressful year.
“Dad obviously had a very good career – he’s an (Australian Football) Hall of Famer,” he said.
“He’s been very helpful. I’m very lucky to have someone like Dad in my corner.”
Darren said it was a significant occasion for the entire family.
“It’s a very proud moment, being the first Crows father-son in 26 years,” he said.
“It’s a credit to the work Ben has done as a junior player. Now, that he’s got the opportunity with an AFL club and in particular the Crows, it’s a great honour for him.
“The hard work starts for him now. He’s got to work hard, get fitter and stronger and, hopefully, have a great career here.”
Ben got a taste of the AFL environment when he trained with the Crows for a week earlier this year.
The smart, 172cm, 70kg, forward/wingman was confident that experience would help him when he joins his new teammates for training on Tuesday.
“I saw the hard work that goes in, the level of professionalism and everything you have to do in preparation for a game,” he said.
“I want to earn the respect of the players and work really hard over the next few weeks. Running is something I definitely have to work on, so hopefully I can get some running in and really improve on that aspect of my game.”
Darren, who says Ben has his uncle Andrew’s “handball reflex”, is hoping Ben can create his own highlights reel over time to help replace the DVD of Adelaide’s ’97 flag, which has seen better days.
“I’m going to ring the Club up and get a new DVD, we’ve just about worn out the old one!” he said.
“I remember when Ben was young, he used to watch it (the 1997 Grand Final) all the time. I used to walk in and say, ‘Turn that off, will you?! I’ve seen it 100 times myself!
“That’s in the past but it’s obviously great history being part of the Crows’ first premiership.”
