Premiership flag a gas for Tea Tree Gully’s Flash Jack Graham — who in just his fifth AFL game crushed his home state’s hopes

IN just his fifth AFL game, Tea Tree Gully export Jack Graham proved himself on the biggest stage, playing a starring role in Richmond’s drought-breaking premiership win.

SA export Jack Graham kicks one of his three goals for Richmond. Picture: Alex Coppel.

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JACK Graham had only met his hero Rory Sloane once before yesterday’s AFL Grand Final.

“I went up to him at the Alma (Tavern) a year or so ago and shook his hand but he had no idea who I was,’’ the former SA under-18 captain said.

Sloane does now. Graham, 19, yesterday played a crucial role in Richmond ending its 37-year premiership drought, going to the Adelaide vice-captain at quarter-time after he had kicked two goals and hen changing the game.

“It really is a dream come true,” Graham said after the game.

The youngest player in the Grand Final, who was playing just his fifth match in his debut season, not only silenced the playmaker but did enough to almost win the Norm Smith Medal as best-afield.

“He was that good that I thought he could have won the medal,’’ Tigers’ coach Damien Hardwick said of Graham, revealing he gratefully watched the North Adelaide SANFL product fall into Richmond’s lap at pick 53 last year while he was on holiday in New York.

Jack Graham shows off his premiership medal.

The strong-bodied Graham restricted Sloane to 15 disposals and no goals after quarter-time while finishing with 16 disposals himself and, most surprisingly, kicking a game-high three goals.

“When I was asked to go to Sloane, it was almost a bit annoying because I didn’t want to have to shut him down and be a prick of a thing because I respect him so much as a player,” said Graham, who grew up as a Crows’ supporter.

“But I had to do my job for the team and play a bit of a role. I’m not a real physical guy and didn’t want to bash him or anything because I respect him so much.

“He’s a great athlete and a great performer and I’ve modelled my game on him for the past three or four years, and to be running with him was a bit surreal. I just wanted to annoy him a little bit and push him under the ball and fortunately things went my way.”

The three goals were a bonus for a midfielder who is not renowned for hitting the scoreboard. Graham said he could not remember the last time he kicked three majors in a game but suspects it was “four or five years ago for a North under-age team”.

Graham has not played in a losing team since breaking into the side in round 22.

“To play in a premiership team in my first year in the system, in just my fifth game, is an amazing feeling,” he said.

Originally published as Premiership flag a gas for Tea Tree Gully’s Flash Jack Graham — who in just his fifth AFL game crushed his home state’s hopes