Joel Crocker grew up around North Melbourne and now finally gets to follow in his father’s footsteps

Joel Crocker grew up around North Melbourne Football Club as he followed his dad, Darren, around and he even once got to sing the song with the players after a win. Now, he gets to do it all as an official Kangaroos player — and he couldn’t be happier.

North Melbourne draftees Curtis Taylor (left) and Joel Crocker (right). Picture: Getty

Joel Crocker has been watching replays of his father Darren playing for North Melbourne and can see the similarities in their games.

But the draftee isn’t surprised given the influence his dad has had on his footy career so far.

“I’ve watched a few tapes of dad back in the day and everyone says we play pretty similar,’’ Crocker said.

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“He obviously taught me how to play footy, so I’m not surprised there is a few similarities going on.

“There was actually a game on last night on those footy flashback games. Me and (fellow father-son pick) Bailey Scott we were watching it and both our dads were out there, it was pretty funny.”

The 18-year-old now has the chance to continue the Crocker name on the field for the Roos after being taken as a father-son selection, at pick No.69, in last week’s national draft.

Kangaroos’ coaching director Darren played 165 games for North Melbourne, including the 1996 premiership.

“I’ve been lucky enough to grow up around the club because dad played here and he’s been here for a long time … I’m grateful for the opportunity that North have taken me,” Crocker said.

North Melbourne draftees Curtis Taylor (left) and Joel Crocker (right). Picture: Getty

One of the forward’s earliest memories of being at the club was joining in the huddle with a mate after a Kangaroos’ finals win in 2007.

“He has obviously helped me a lot to get to this point, just having such good knowledge first hand to lean off him and a lot of home, he has been great,’’ Crocker said.

“He’s not harder on me, he’ll always treat me like the rest of the boys.’’

Crocker expected to be able to start full training with the Roos next month after a year ruined by a syndesmosis injury.

The former Sandringham utility tapped into Sam Wright for his advice on how to recover from the ankle injury training at the club through the father-son academy last pre-season.

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“I haven’t had much continuity in my footy over the last few years, but the ankle is feeling really good,’’ Crocker said.

“Now I’m surrounded by great support staff, they’ll get me up and about and I think I’ll be fully training in a few weeks’ time.

Joel Crocker was selected by North Melbourne as a father-son. Picture: Getty

“I was coming off my first syndesmosis at the end of last season and he’d been through plenty of ankle injuries, so I was able to learn off him and it gave me a lot of confidence knowing he has come back and been able to play some pretty good footy.’’

Crocker has been living in a house with North Melbourne’s six draftees, including Curtis Taylor, as the group get to know one another and make the transition to AFL football.

Taylor, who was taken at pick No.46 by the Roos, also has a sporting connection of his own — to Australian cricket great Shane Warne.

“My mum’s sister was married to Shane, so my cousins are Jackson, Summer and Brooke so we have that connection with Shane,’’ Taylor said.

But Taylor said he was never tempted to pursue a cricket career.

“It was always footy for me,’’ he said.

Already good mates with Mason Wood at the club, Taylor’s goals for his first season are simple.

“At this stage I just want to get through the pre-season and earn all the respect of all the players and staff and just take it week by week and just enjoy it and take it in,’’ he said.