As expected, the Crows made the first father-son selection in its history, taking North Adelaide’s Ben Jarman, son of dual premiership star Darren. Adelaide’s only other pick was an “administrative” one to help out Sam Shaw who retired after last season due to concussion issues.
Port Adelaide picked up four SANFL players, including South Adelaide key forward Brett Eddy, versatile Sturt premiership player Jarrod Lienert, and young Norwood ruckman Peter Ladhams, who stands at 203cm. Powerful South Adelaide midfielder Emmanuel Irra has been selected as a Category B rookie, and will be part of the club’s academy program.
South will be hard hit by the losses, with Eddy arguably the best forward in the competition over recent years and the winner this year’s Ken Farmer Medal.
Powerfully-built Lienert had a breakthrough year for Sturt, winning the SANFL’s star search award and kicking two goals in the Double Blues’ grand final victory.
The moves will be a boon to Port Adelaide’s SANFL coach Chad Cornes, and a blow to new Panthers coach Garry Hocking, who moved from Port’s coaching panel to South after this year’s AFL season.
Jarman played League, Reserves and Under 18 football for the Roosters this year, and represented SA at the Under 18 championships.
Jarman said he had worked hard to ignore the distraction of his possible pick-up by his father’s old club.
“Throughout the year, I just had to concentrate on my footy and really worry about playing team footy,” he said.
“I had to block all the talk out and, thankfully, I’m here today. I want to work really hard and earn the respect of the players.
“Dad obviously had a very good career- he’s an Australian Football Hall of Famer.
“He has been very helpful and I’m lucky to have someone like him in my corner.”
Darren Jarman said he was rapt for Ben, but the hard work was yet to begin.
“Like any parents, Sue and I want to see our children do well and we are extremely proud of Ben,” he said.
“He should enjoy this moment but we all know the hard work is now ahead of him.”
