Adelaide SANFL player Jacob Templeton made a ‘tough decision’ more than a decade ago to turn his back on a promising basketball career in favour of footy.
Templeton returned from one year of playing basketball with North Iowa in the US and trained with the Crows in 2010, with a hope of earning a rookie AFL contract.
Although that never eventuated, Templeton stuck with footy and now, 12 years later, he is back playing for the Crows in the SANFL side.
“I completed my first year at college in the US and I had chosen basketball and thought I would finish my four years of college and try to come back and play NBL - that was the plan,” Templeton said.
“But football opportunities just popped up so after that first year I had to make a tough decision.
“When the rookie spot wasn’t available, I guess it wasn’t necessarily done then and once I made the big decision to leave a basketball career behind, I wanted to give it at least a few years to try to make something of it and stick with that.
“I am a Crows fan, so being part of the Club is cool.
“Even though it’s in a different situation, it feels like I’ve come full circle with my football at the Crows.”
The 193cm utility has since become a local footy journeyman.
Before signing with the Crows for this SANFL season, the 32-year-old enjoyed two stints with Central District and also played at Woodville-West Torrens and with the NT Thunder in the NEAFL.
“Playing a season with the NT Thunder was cool,” Templeton said.
“I was still working here in Adelaide because I have a gym here and I was flying in and out.
“I’d do a bit of team training and skill stuff with some guys when I could, then I’d fly up on a Friday, play usually on the Saturday but some of the away games were in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and a couple in Alice Springs.
“It was really cool to be playing against AFL reserve sides and getting to travel around Australia so much at the same time was a bit of a bonus.”
Templeton said his move to the Crows ahead of this SANFL season came after conversations with a few mates at the Club and Michael Godden, who had coached him at the Eagles.
He has played four State League games in the tri-colours and is keen to help the side continue its solid season.
“I have felt so welcomed from the first day I got to the Club from all the AFL coaches, to all the players, the staff behind the scenes,” Templeton said.
“The SANFL top-up players, we sort of come in as we are needed, but I’ve felt part of it the whole time.”
Adelaide is second on the SANFL ladder and plays top-placed North Adelaide in Whyalla this Saturday afternoon.
“It’s a great feeling around the team at the moment,” Templeton said.
“When you’re winning, there’s a good feeling around and everyone has come together really well as a team.
“There’s a bit to go in the season but I think we’ve put ourselves in a great spot.”
