GROWING up as the youngest sibling of an ex-superstar, new Adelaide recruit Shaun McKernan always knew that stepping out of the shadow was going to be tough.
McKernan, who bears an uncanny on- and off-field resemblance to brother Corey, endured constant comparisons to the dual North Melbourne premiership player throughout his junior days.
But the 18-year-old was confident his first day at West Lakes would be the start of his own long and successful career.
"Obviously, Corey had a good career and so forth. He won two premierships and a Brownlow Medal, almost," McKernan said on Monday.
"He’s always there, anytime I want. I can ask him anything and for the last couple of weeks I’ve been training with him in the gym.
"But I want to make my own name, so I’ve come to Adelaide to try and do that."
Adelaide recruiting manager Matt Rendell was shocked when McKernan was still available at No. 28 and didn't hesitate to use the club's second pick to secure the Vic Metro ruckman.
McKernan, who at 94kg was among heaviest players taken in Saturday’s NAB AFL Draft, didn't expect that plying his trade in South Australia – rather than Melbourne – would help soften the links to his older brother.
"A few people have said that to me, that coming to Adelaide [might make it easier] but I guess anywhere I go, he (Corey) was always going to be there," McKernan said.
"When I heard the news, there were a few mixed emotions. I had a few boys over my house to listen to it, so when my name was called I was rapt to be coming here, but you know you have to leave your family and friends behind.
"I was just looking forward to coming here more."
McKernan earned All-Australian honours after a stellar under-18 carnival and backed it up with a strong showing at the NAB AFL Draft Camp in October, finishing second to Western Australia's Nick Naitanui in the vertical jump and sixth overall in the agility testing.
Four of the five players drafted by the Crows on Saturday were over 190cm, with midfielder Rory Sloane the only exception.
Adelaide was thrilled with its intake, having secured five players ranked inside the top 20 of its draft planning.
And coach Neil Craig was confident the Crows had finally addressed their long-standing lack of key forwards.
"We want to keep servicing our forward line and with Phil Davis and McKernan in particular we feel we've done that," Craig told Monday's Adelaide Advertiser.
"Key forwards have been a bit of an issue for us so I'm sure our supporters will be glad to hear that we've got some young forwards who can hopefully grow into those positions.
"We've got some good young ruckmen in (Brad) Moran, (Kurt) Tippett, (Jonathon) Griffin and (Ivan) Maric and now with Tippett, (Taylor) Walker, (Trent) Hentschel and the new younger kids, while it's not an overnight fix – the proof will be when the games start – at least they are now in our system, which is pretty exciting for us."
