Adelaide has welcomed some of its most famous names back to West Lakes this week as part of its Crows Academies Father/Son program.
The sons of five Crows greats - Mark Ricciuto, Simon Goodwin, Ben Rutten, Simon Tregenza and Mark Stevens - have shadowed the AFL squad, getting their first taste of life as a professional footballer.
Some of the youngsters have travelled far and wide to be involved in the program, with the Stevens brothers (Mitchell and Will) coming from Gippsland, Victoria, and Eddie Goodwin and Jack Rutten coming from Melbourne.
Crows Academies manager Jarrod Meers said this activation highlighted the significance the Club put on its Father/Son program.
“Many would have seen over recent times that we have placed a significant focus on bolstering strong Father-Son tradition and Crow Academies activations,” Meers said.
“We see this as an extremely important part of the Adelaide Football Club and the continuation of building the history of the Crows.”
This group of Father/Son prospects follows a successful period in the blossoming program, which helped Max Michalanney be drafted to the Club and Tyler Welsh be signed as a SANFL player in his draft year.
Meers said it was exciting to see the development of the program.
“To date we have had three Crows Father/Sons in the history of the Club,” Meers said.
“Assisting to accelerate player development and help educate and advance our Father Sons is a wonderful way for us to support them on their football pathway wherever and whatever level they finish playing at.”
The list of boys attending the Club this week, in age order, is as follows:
- Mitchell Stevens – (Son of AFC Premiership Player Mark) – Gippsland Power/Vic Country
- Eddie Goodwin – (Son of AFC Premiership Player and former Club Captain Simon) – Ashburton FC
- Caleb Tregenza – (Son of Inaugural AFC Team Simon) – Glenelg FC
- Nick Ricciuto (Son of AFC Premiership Player and former Club Captain Mark) – Sturt FC
- Jack Rutten (Son of 200 game for AFC and Life Member Ben) – Gisborne Rookies FC
- Will Stevens - (Son of AFC Premiership Player Mark) – Heyfield FC
