TAJ SCHOFIELD had just turned two years old when dad, Jarrad received his medallion on Grand Final day as part of Port Adelaide’s breakthrough AFL premiership side.
And while he admits to having “not too many” memories of that historic day at the MCG, his father’s successes have always been a source of inspiration on his journey to being selected by Port Adelaide with pick 37 in the 2020 AFL Rookie Draft.
“I know he had a pretty good here at Port and won the premiership as well so I’m hoping to follow in his footsteps,” Schofield said at a press conference at Alberton Oval on Thursday afternoon.
The 18-year-old was forced to wait until the Rookie Draft on Thursday morning to become the fourth father-son selection in Port Adelaide’s history, and was understandably excited to realise his AFL dream.
“It’s been a long-time coming I guess, but I’m just so relieved it’s finally over and I can get started,” he said.
“Obviously I had chats with Port throughout the year and the past couple of weeks. They were pretty confident that I was going to end up here, whether that was in the main draft or the rookie draft.
“On the AFL App I was watching the picks come through and waiting for my name to get put on there.
“When I saw my name, Paul Stewart called me and congratulated me. I’m just over the moon and I can’t wait to get started.”
He won’t be asked to wait long. He was greeted with a COVID-19 swab as soon as he was drafted, and sent a timetable for his first day at the club, alongside fellow Academy product Lachie Jones, reporting bright and early Friday morning.
Waiting at Alberton Oval will be dad, whistle in mouth as he embarks on his third season in charge of Port Adelaide’s midfield group.
However, both Schofields are excited by the opportunity to work together and don’t anticipate too many family blow ups on the training track.
“I think it’s going to be good fun. He’s coached me a bit through my junior ranks,” said Taj.
“At the end of the day, I’ll treat him as one of the coaches and he’ll treat me as one of the players.
“We are really looking forward to working with each other.”
Hailing from Woodville-West Torrens, by way of Subiaco in Western Australia, Schofield is a creative and composed user of the ball and anticipates lining up in the forward line early days.
Having spent a week picking the brains of young guns Zak Butters and Connor Rozee during the pre-season as part of Port’s Father-Son Academy, Schofield says Alberton feels like home and he is keen to continue building those relationships with the playing group.
“I’ve done a little bit of work with (the team) and I’m mates with a few of the boys as well,” he said.
“That week of training during the pre-season has helped as well. I come into the club and feel really comfortable.
“I know when I trained here I tried to use Zak Butters and Connor Rozee and link up with them and try and learn off of them being up-and-coming stars and younger players.
“Travis Boak might be one I might try and hang around. He’s obviously a great player and a great person so I’ll try and learn off him.”
