Scotch Old Collegians’ Jy Farrar invited to state draft combine after lighting up Adelaide Footy League
Meet the Adelaide Footy League talent who hails from the same small WA town as Sam Petrevski-Seton and Shane McAdam and has sparked the interest of AFL clubs.
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From far north WA to country Victoria, then amateur footy and the SANFL, Jy Farrar is no stranger to a big move.
But the rising Scotch Old Collegians star could be on the verge of his most significant step yet – to the heights of the AFL.
Farrar is the latest in a growing line of indigenous football talent from the Kimberley township of Halls Creek, joining the likes of his cousin and Adelaide Crow Shane McAdam, high Carlton draft pick Sam Petrevski-Seton and 12-game Brisbane Lion Cedric Cox.
But unlike the other talented names from that football crucible of fewer than 2000 people, Farrar has not come to notice through underage or state league sides.
Rather, he has caught the eye of AFL scouts by starring in the Adelaide Footy League’s division two at Scotch.
The 21-year-old earned an invitation earlier this month to the SA draft combine in October, despite playing just two SANFL games as a Crows development-listed player.
It means at least two AFL clubs hold an interest and have nominated him to test physical attributes and skills in front of list managers.
“It’s a bit unexpected but I’m rapt about it,” says Farrar, a 190cm utility with eye-catching athleticism.
“I’ve obviously worked hard and just been playing game-by-game but didn’t even realise that I was being looked at or anything like that.
“So I was a bit surprised when I got the invite.”
Farrar played a key role as Scotch took out the division three flag last season, despite discolating his ankle just two months earlier.
He returned for the semi-final, kicked three goals and went on to star in both the preliminary final and grand final win over Seaton Ramblers.
The injury affected the lead-up to his 2019 campaign, as he undertook significant rehabilitation on the ankle, but he has been named in Scotch’s best in 11 of 14 matches this season.
The path to Adelaide has been a long one, however.
Farrar grew up in Halls Creek before moving to boarding school in Perth in Year 8.
He graduated in Year 12 and returned north to his home town but says he “got stuck in the circle of Halls Creek” and needed to get out.
Country footy in Wangaratta, Victoria was the next step before he was lured to Adelaide to play at Scotch and then the SANFL.
It is a similar path to McAdam’s, who starred at Scotch and then Sturt before he was taken by Carlton and traded to the Crows in 2018.
“Shane’s my first cousin, I grew up with him, we’re close as anything,” Farrar says.
“He showed that anyone can do it. Shane has all the talent in the world but he works hard as well.
“Hopefully I’ll get a call-up.
“If not, I’ll work and come back stronger next year.”
With Scotch’s season finishing on Saturday, Farrar hopes to break into the Crows side for the SANFL finals – with Adelaide Oval the perfect stage to audition for AFL recruiters.
patrick.keam@news.com.au