ADELAIDE has secured Jackson Edwards as the second father-son selection in the club's history.
After last month committing to taking Edwards as a rookie, the Crows officially secured the eldest son of 300-game champion Tyson on Monday.
Edwards slipped through the NAB AFL Draft on Friday night and when all 18 AFL clubs opted not to participate in the pre-season draft, the 18-year-old automatically joined Adelaide’s rookie list.
"It's good to be part of it, just ready to get stuck into it, really," Edwards said.
"The club was pretty clear with me all the way through, I had something to fall back on if it didn't turn out in the draft.
"It was a bit nerve-racking (during the draft), not knowing what was going to happen, but good to be part of it now."
It’s the same path his cousin Ben Jarman – son of premiership hero Darren – followed to arrive at West Lakes last season.
A 185cm, 75kg midfielder, Edwards represented South Australia at the AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging an equal-team high 24 disposals across the carnival.
The skilful and composed left-footer made his SANFL debut for Glenelg in round 15 and held his spot for the remainder of the season.
As per the League’s father-son rules, Adelaide will forfeit its last available selection in Monday afternoon’s rookie draft to confirm his selection.
A member of Adelaide’s Next Generation Academy, Edwards has spent plenty of time at the Crows already.
He trained with Adelaide last pre-season and also lined up in the trial game against Greater Western Sydney in preliminary final week.
Tyson Edwards is held in high regard at West Lakes, having played 321 games, including being part of the club's two premierships in 1997 and 1998.
"He's a bit taller than me, he overtook me pretty quickly," Tyson said.
"He's a left-footer, so he just looks a bit different.
"He's a bit more of a natural goalkicker, he'll do his own thing and I'm sure he'll do really well."
Tyson said Jackson had struggled with an illness during the past 18 months that affected his energy levels.
"He's stuck through it and been really disciplined with recovery and diet, and been able to get through that when lots of others wouldn't," Tyson said.
"That's probably where the speed thing comes into it, but I don't think it will be an issue."
Jackson can't wait for his first training session on Wednesday.
"It'll be pretty exciting running alongside some childhood heroes," he said.
"Sloaney (Rory Sloane) and Gibbs (Bryce Gibbs) and Tex (captain Taylor Walker) and all these blokes.
"I was pretty lucky, dad played with Sloaney and Tex, so I have a bit of a connection with them."
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