Grandson of Geelong Brownlow medallist recruited to Port Adelaide

Ollie Lord has become the third grandson from Geelong’s 1963 premiership team to reach the highest level after the Geelong Grammar student was selected by Port Adelaide — and his legendary grandfather couldn't be happier.

A beaming Alistair Lord is “over the moon” his grandson has the chance to live out his AFL dream.

Ollie Lord was selected by Port Adelaide in Wednesday night’s draft, taken with pick No.49 to become the third grandson of a 1963 premiership player to reach the highest level.

Brownlow medallist Alistair waited up in his Highton home until Ollie’s name was called out at nearly 11pm and was one of the first people to congratulate the Sandringham Dragons graduate.

Ollie Lord at AFL testing. Picture: Michael Klein

“It’s a thrill in itself to even be drafted,” Alistair said.

“My support of all my grandchildren, you love to see them reach as high as they possibly can in their sporting ability or academic ability.

“I was more than happy to think Port Adelaide had chosen him because they’re a great club. I know Travis Boak, who comes from Torquay, and he’s a wonderful chap.”

Ollie’s father, Darren, was drafted to the Cats as a father-son in 1991 but never played a senior game.

Asked if he would change his allegiance to the black, white and teal, Alistair, who claimed the 1962 Brownlow Medal across a 122-game career between 1959 and 1966, said he would have a foot in both the Geelong and Port Adelaide camps.

“Blood’s thicker than water,” he said.

Ollie said Alistair was “one of my biggest supporters”.

“He said he can’t wipe the smile off his face,” Ollie said.

“He’s very proud and very happy for me.”

Ollie was one of three Geelong Grammar students selected in the draft — Tanner Bruhn went to GWS and Nick Stevens was recruited by Geelong — and is a developing 197cm key forward.

Port Adelaide hope he can help form its future forward line with Todd Marshall and Mitch Georgiades.

That ’63 flag Alistair played in has had two grandsons reach the highest level.

Josh Walker’s grandfather Peter Walker was centre half-back and Toby Wooller’s grandfather Fred Wooller captained the side.

Josh has played 102 games at three different clubs, including 33 for Geelong, and Toby was delisted this year without playing a match.

Alistair Lord in his playing days.

Ollie said he came into the night without high expectations knowing there were fewer picks this year because of the reduction in list sizes.

“In saying that … it was nearing 11pm and picks were coming down, I was getting very nervous and seeing a lot of boys that I played with get picked before me, I was quite nervous,” he said.

“I got up to go to the toilet a few times in the space of five minutes. I was very nervous.”

And he won’t be a stranger in South Australia. Darren’s sister, Pennie, lives in Adelaide with her family, which Ollie hoped would help him settle with the interstate move.

Originally published as Grandson of Geelong Brownlow medallist recruited to Port Adelaide