AFL Draft 2024: Tyler Welsh to wear dad Scott’s No. 17 at the Adelaide Crows, Sid Draper on a dream come true

It’s official – Tyler Welsh is an Adelaide Crows player. And the club has made the moment even more special for the family, handing the young forward Dad’s number.

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Seventeen years after his dad played his last game for the club, Tyler Welsh is an Adelaide AFL player.

And the emerging key forward will wear 17 – his father Scott’s former number.

Scott, a four-time leading goalkicker across 129 games for the Crows from 2000-07, presented his son with the jumper at the youngster’s junior club, Henley Sharks, on Thursday night. Adelaide had committed to taking Welsh with its second selection and made it official at pick 59.

Tyler Welsh, alongside dad Scott, after his was officially picked by the Crows. Picture: Adelaide FC

The 18-year-old played for the club this past season at SANFL level, kicking 10 goals from 10 games, including five majors against Port Adelaide in round 18.

Powerfully built at 191cm with strong hands, Welsh also averaged two goals for South Australia at this year’s under-18 national championships and 3.5 per game in 2023.

He told the Crows’ website he was over the moon.

“It’s been a childhood dream to get this opportunity and to wear the number 17, I’m speechless,” Welsh said.

“It means so much and I can’t wait to get into it.”

Welsh trained alongside key forwards Taylor Walker, Darcy Fogarty and Riley Thilthorpe all season, in a big boost for his development.

The father-son prospect had come through Woodville-West Torrens’ junior ranks before switching to the Crows’ SANFL late last year.

No other club bid on Welsh, allowing Adelaide to add him to its senior list with its only selection on night two.

When your footy dreams come true 🥹 pic.twitter.com/JdzT52NCL4

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) November 21, 2024

Crows national recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie said Welsh accepted the challenge of playing senior football head on this year.

“He’s got great power and speed, is a strong mark on the lead and is capable of kicking long goals for a young player,” Ogilvie said.

“We look forward to watching him develop in a full-time environment in coming years.”

South Adelaide midfielder Sid Draper was the club’s other pick, at No. 4, on Wednesday.

Adelaide will use the rookie draft on Friday to re-select midfielder Harry Schoenberg and key forward Chris Burgess.

A taste of what Tyler Welsh has to offer 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/ds8fd53tBf

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) November 21, 2024

Why Crows wanted the kid who really wanted them

Adelaide has opted for the local over the Victorian, choosing South Australian under-18 captain Sid Draper with one of its earliest ever selections.

The Crows snared explosive midfielder Draper at pick 4 as the top of the national draft order went to script at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday night.

Rival clubs had expected Adelaide to decide between the South Adelaide star and powerful Dandenong Stingrays on-baller Harvey Langford, most tipping Draper.

After three Victorians went with the opening three selections, the lifelong Crows fan became the first SA prospect chosen.

Richmond took GWV Rebels bull Sam Lalor at No. 1, North Melbourne grabbed versatile Oakleigh Chargers on-baller Finn O’Sullivan second then Carlton went for his ball magnet teammate Jagga Smith at No. 3, allowing Adelaide to swoop on the homegrown product.

Sid Draper is an Adelaide Crow. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Draper gets his Adelaide jumper from former skipper Nathan Van Berlo. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

Crows recruiting boss Hamish Ogilvie told this masthead Draper would bring a different mix to the club’s engine room, which was “starting to look in a pretty good shape”.

“He brings something different to everyone’s mix because that speed, power, agility combo is so rare,” Ogilvie said.

“It’s a reason why we rated Sid so highly.

“He can play half-forward, he trained with the club over summer, his GPS stuff impressed Burgo (fitness boss Darren Burgess).

“He’s a super high character with some real leadership potential.

“He’s a great kid who loves the Crows and wants to play for us, and that doesn’t happen very often.”

Ogilvie said while the local factor was a bonus, the club simply had to pick the best player at that part of the draft.

Fast, agile and hardworking, Draper has been compared to Power captain Connor Rozee.

The 182cm Crows recruit overcame shin issues early last season to play six league games for the Panthers and earn All-Australian honours.

He averaged 22.2 disposals, 4.7 clearances and 3.7 inside 50s for South Adelaide, along with 21, 3.8 and 3.3 across four matches for SA’s under-18s.

“That senior form would say he’d be pushing for selection in our team,” Ogilvie said.

The moment Sid Draper became a Crow 💫 pic.twitter.com/Jy4J2x2dfN

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) November 20, 2024

The moment his name was called on Wednesday night. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

Adelaide had looked at trading up to pick 2, where it was expected to take Victorian midfielder Jagga Smith.

But Ogilvie said North Melbourne did not show massive enthusiasm for a deal.

Draper said joining the Crows was a dream come true.

“It’s so special,” Draper told Fox Footy.

“We’ve been barracking for the Crows for as long as I can remember.”

AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan described Draper as dazzling and dynamic.

Fox Footy draft expert Mick Ablett said Draper’s two-way running was fantastic for his age.

“He’s already got a really nice balance of being on the front foot, attacking, hurting opposition teams but also working hard defensively, which will hold him in really good stead in Matty Nicks’s team early in 2025,” Ablett said.

Draper becomes Adelaide’s second-highest national draft selection in club history, behind only key forward Riley Thilthorpe (No. 2 in 2020).

The Crows are expected to take father-son forward Tyler Welsh with its only other selection on Thursday night.

Welsh, the son of four-time Adelaide leading goalkicker Scott Welsh, played with the club’s SANFL side this season.

Originally published as AFL Draft 2024: Tyler Welsh to wear dad Scott’s No. 17 at the Adelaide Crows, Sid Draper on a dream come true