Adelaide Crow’ second AFL father-son pick Jackson Edwards will “get it done’’, says dad Tyson

ADELAIDE great Tyson Edwards says son Jackson — the Crows’ second father-son pick — has only scratched the surface of his potential, revealing he has battled glandular fever for 18 months.

SON OF A GUN: Crows father-son draft pick Jackson Edwards with his dad Tyson yesterday. Picture: Matt Turner.

ADELAIDE great Tyson Edwards says son Jackson — the Crows’ second father-son pick — has only scratched the surface of his potential, revealing he has battled glandular fever for 18 months.

Brushing aside questions over midfielder Jackson’s leg speed that appeared to have stopped all 18 clubs selecting him in the AFL national draft, Tyson said his oldest son had a big upside and would make a success of his AFL career.

“Pace-wise he never had an issue with that growing up,’’ said dual Crows premiership player Tyson, whose 321 games for Adelaide ranks second behind Andrew McLeod’s 340.

“In the past 18 months he’s really struggled physically with an illness (glandular fever) that has hindered that.

Adelaide’s Glenelg draftees Darcy Fogarty and Jackson Edwards. Picture: Simon Cross

“To his credit he’s stuck at it and been really disciplined with his recovery and diet to be able to get through that when probably lots of others wouldn’t.

“That’s hindered him a little bit and has made him a little bit lethargic and lacking a bit of energy.

“That’s probably where the speed thing comes into it but I don’t think that’s going to be an issue for him.

“Good players find ways around it anyway. He’s got some great help here at the club that will guide him now on what he needs to work on and I know he’ll get to work on it because that’s the sort of kid he is.’’

Tyson wasn’t the quickest player in his illustrious career and noted “you find other ways’’ to be successful.

“And I’m sure that’s what he’ll do,’’ he said of 18-year-old Jackson, who has now fully recovered from his illness.

Tyson Edwards during his playing days with the Adelaide Crows.

“That’s the beauty of AFL footy, that it takes all types, all sizes, and he’ll get it done.

“I’m pumped for him just to get an opportunity because there are so many kids that miss out.

“Jackson’s good mate at Glenelg, Jonty Scharenberg, was tipped to go top-10 at one stage in last year’s draft and didn’t even get picked, so if you get an opportunity that’s all you can ask for.

“We've got some history here, he doesn’t have to leave home, mum (Mandy) doesn’t have to cry for three months when he’s gone and he can eat all the food still at home.’’

Jackson, a 186cm, classy left-footer from Glenelg, said he faced a nervous wait during last Friday’s national draft after the Crows declined to take him at the main player lottery, instead making a commitment to him if he slipped through to yesterday’s rookie draft.

“It was a bit nerve-racking but the club was pretty clear with me all the way through and I had something to fall back on if it didn’t work out for me at the draft,’’ he said.

Jackson joins his cousin Ben Jarman in becoming a Crows father-son player.

Ben, the son of dual premiership hero Darren Jarman, was picked in last year’s rookie draft.

“It didn’t really bother me where I went as long as I got an opportunity somewhere but I’m happy to be here at Adelaide, get to stay with the family and continue to have mum’s home-cooked meals,’’ Jackson said.

Jackson, whose 15-year-old brother Luke already is on the Crows’ radar, said he was motivated more by missing national draft selection.

“I want to prove people wrong,’’ he said.

Jackson was one of four players Adelaide picked at the rookie draft, along with its former senior-listed midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen, 24, Sturt premiership player Patrick Wilson, 22, and Crows’ SANFL player Lachlan Murphy, 18.