South Adelaide midfielder Tom Sparrow to learn from Demons’ best after joining Melbourne

Playing on the MCG and learning from some of the best inside midfielders in the competition has South Adelaide inside bull Tom Sparrow “over the moon” to join Melbourne.

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Tom Sparrow will have no problem figuring out who to look up to when he arrives at the Melbourne Football Club.

The South Adelaide midfielder was sought after by the Demons and they jumped with their first pick, No.27, in Friday’s national draft.

With Jack Viney, Nathan Jones and Clayton Oliver in the Demons on-ball brigade, Sparrow is set to have all the help he needs to continue his development as contested bull.

“Jones, Viney, Oliver - they’re all great players and will hopefully make great mentors to develop my midfield craft,” Sparrow, a Prince Alfred College student, said.

Tom Sparrow at PAC. Picture: Matt Turner

“Jack Viney was at PAC for a couple of years when I was there, so I’m keen to have a chat to him when I get over.”

Sparrow was watching the draft at the Bridgewater Inn with his close family when they heard the Demons call out his name.

The 18-year-old said he was “over the moon” to join Melbourne and, hopefully, one day make an AFL appearance on the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“Melbourne is a big club and one of the most prestigious around so it’s an honour to be picked up,” Sparrow said.

“It’s unreal to think the MCG will be my home ground. If I get the chance to play there it will be unreal.

Tom Sparrow back at his old primary school in Scott Creek in the Adelaide Hills. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“I think I’m going to use that as a bit of a motivator when I’m trying to break into the team.”

Sparrow said his phone had gone “dead silent” over the past three weeks and he was beginning to question his draft interest. The Demons then put in a short call on Thursday but gave no indication they would select him.

“I was trying to look calm as the draft went on, but inside I was real nervous,” he said.

“I’m just keen to get stuck in now.”

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Originally published as South Adelaide midfielder Tom Sparrow to learn from Demons’ best after joining Melbourne