Emily Brockhurst, daughter of ex-South Adelaide defender Andrew Brockhurst, made her SANFLW debut with the Panthers

Emily Brockhurst, the daughter of former South Adelaide defender Andrew Brockhurst, made history this month, becoming the first daughter of a past player to debut with the Panthers.

Former South Adelaide player Andrew Brockhurst and his daughter Emily. Emily, 17, became the first daughter of a past player make her debut in the SANFLW this month Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

Emily Brockhurst was born seven years after her father, Andrew Brockhurst, finished his 131-game SANFL career with South Adelaide.

And this month the 17-year-old made some Panthers history of her own – becoming the first daughter of a past player to debut with South.

Emily racked up seven disposals in the 16-point win over West Adelaide at Richmond Oval on March 1.

Emily, of Clarendon, says her father’s help since she took up football last year has been invaluable.

Andrew Brockhurst with his daughter Emily at Noarlunga Oval. Picture: AAP//Brenton Edwards

“I’m pretty happy to be following in Dad’s footsteps – he’s my role model at the moment and it meant a lot to me,” the Cabra Dominican College Year 12 student says.

“It (footy) was a bit difficult to pick up at the beginning.

“My kicking, I’m still working on but I’m loving it.

“Dad and I go out most Sunday mornings and have a kicking session and then before or after training during the week.”

Emily enjoyed her debut and shared a special moment with her dad and mum, June, after the match.

“I was a bit nervous before the game because I knew I needed to play well to try and keep my spot in the team and I also wanted to make Dad proud,” she says.

“Mum and Dad came onto the field after the game and said congratulations, then headed into the change rooms and they watched me get drenched in Gatorade.”

Emily was a keen netballer, having gone through the junior ranks at Contax and featured with the club’s intermediate division one side last year.

Andrew Brockhurst (front) in action at South Adelaide training in 1985. Picture: Bryan Charlton

She joined Adelaide Footy League women’s team Christies Beach last year after seeing her dad and 13-year-old brother Trent kicking a footy in the park, as well as having one of her Contax teammates, Heidi Smith, make the switch.

Andrew lined up with South from 1985-87, before being drafted to the VFL by Fitzroy.

He played 38 games with the Lions from 1988-90 then returned to the Panthers for the final three years of his career.

“Coming from my world where boys only played footy, I never thought that years later my daughter would play,” Andrew, 54, says.

“I know how hard she has worked over the past 12 months to get where she has, so I am extremely proud of her.

“It was quite emotional.”