FRESH from signing a two-year extension with Port Adelaide, Jackson Mead is grateful to remain at the club that helped him realise his AFL dream. 

Arriving as a father-son in the 2019 national draft, the 22-year-old is keen to now forge his own path, outside of his dad’s legacy. 

Speaking with the Adelaide media on Tuesday, Mead touched on the win over the Bulldogs on Saturday, how his role has evolved in the side, and his gratitude on receiving a fresh contract. 

Mead on his contract extension 
“Yeah, so pencilled in two more, which is really exciting for me and my family. And yeah, I’m really, really grateful for it.” 

Mead on finding his place in the midfield 
“I don't think it will ever be a 100 per cent sort of, full time midfield role. And I don't think that's what I'd be looking for, I think, I just want to come in and complement the other guys. And then obviously play my role when I get my chance inside and then obviously, still play a bit of forward and wing at times as well.” 

“I think it’s only maybe clicked in the last few weeks (feeling more secure in the AFL side). But certainly for the first half the year Kenny was always sort of like ‘just keep playing on the edge’. I think it was working for me in the first half of the year. So, sort of still have that mindset coming into the rest of the year, and certainly hopefully the finals as well.” 

Mead on forging his own path  
“I think it’s been five years now in my career so I think it's hopefully time to let (being in dad’s shadow) go. But yeah, obviously, play my own footy and in my own right. Me and dad are completely different players so I want to create my own story and my own path here as well.  

“It was always going to be something that I had to wear coming into the club being a father-son. And I knew I'd have to accept that so yeah, it's just part and parcel of it.” 

Mead on his form in 2024 
“I think off the back of a good pre-season I’ve just been able to complement my game in terms of obviously playing that forward role, the wing role at times as well. So just being able to be flexible, and obviously think I can still get better in those areas as well. So there's always room for improvement.” 

Mead on the mindset of being the sub  
“Yeah, I think I've been sub a few times in my career now so it's pretty challenging at times. But obviously, once you're out there, it's just playing normal footy and you just want to come and make an impact when you come into the game.” 

Mead on the win over the Bulldogs 
“The Bulldogs are great side, they’re obviously a good stoppage team and they can score pretty heavily when they're on top. So we obviously knew that going into the game. So yeah, we had a good midfield day and thought our team defence was pretty good as well. I think we kept them to only a few goals at three quarter time. So it was pretty pleasing from a club point of view.” 

Mead on the preparation for the Bulldogs game 
“Yeah, I don't think the form was probably a big thing, like, obviously, we were challenged with some good times at bad times (prior to the St Kilda game). But the coaching group has done a really good job in terms of preparing us for the games and they do a hell of a lot of work throughout the week to get us ready. And I think it probably just flourished in the last sort of few weeks. We (had very) detailed oppo reports coming into the game so I think that helps quite a bit.” 

Mead on taking on Gold Coast this weekend 
“Yeah, we’ll look at them later throughout the week. But yeah, there's been a lot of talk around that they haven't lost at home and they're a great team and obviously have a great midfield group and a strong defence and they can score pretty well so it's going to be challenging game.” 

Mead on Willie Rioli’s availability 
“I’m not too sure, I think he's got some family issues at the moment so we’re just going to try and support him and he'll come into the side whenever he's ready.” 

Mead on Mitch Georgiades’ ban 
“Mitch has been in great form the last few weeks, obviously had a career-high game the other week. Charlie's (Dixon) ready to come back and if he comes straight back in, obviously that’s up to the coaches, but I think whoever comes in is going to play a good role for us coming to the game.”