PORT ADELAIDE is set to unveil its second-ever father-son at AFL level, with Jackson Mead announced to the playing group this morning as a certain starter for Round 1.

Mead, the son of inaugural John Cahill Medallist Darren Mead, has put in an impressive pre-season, learning from the likes of Ollie Wines and Travis Boak and working through the midfield and half-forward during the club’s practice matches.

The Woodville-West Torrens product will join Brett Ebert, son of club great Russell Ebert, in representing Port Adelaide at AFL level as a father-son selection, while Jackson and Darren will become the first father-son combination to each play for Port Adelaide in the AFL.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the 20-year-old, having joined Port Adelaide with pick 25 in the 2020 National Draft and losing his first year on the list to Covid after the club was forced to withdraw from the SANFL competition.

His second season got off to a promising start, playing in Port’s Community Series win over Adelaide in Noarlunga, before a ruptured spleen suffered in the SANFL saw him rushed to hospital and sidelined for the majority of the year.

However, senior coach Ken Hinkley said Mead’s journey to an AFL debut was testament to his resilience as a person.

“It’s a great story,” Hinkley said while addressing Mead and the playing group at Alberton on Thursday morning. “The challenges you’ve had, two Covid years when you’ve come into the footy club.”

“I know your mum and dad will be incredibly proud – particularly your dad that you’ll follow in his footsteps and play for Port Adelaide.

“It’s built around being a tough, hard, honest footballer and you do that really well for us.

“You’ve had a great pre-season. You thoroughly deserve this opportunity and we hope you have a great night mate and you feel part of a special team on Saturday night.”

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Joining Mead in playing his first game for Port Adelaide will be Greater Western Sydney recruit Jeremy Finlayson.

The key forward made his way to Alberton during the trade period after 66 games and 90 goals for the Giants.

The 26-year-old has made an early impact up forward in the absence of Charlie Dixon, slotting four goals in the Power’s Community Series win over Adelaide at Richmond Oval.

Hinkley said it was a great opportunity for Finlayson to hit the ground running at his new club.

“To come in and do what you’ve done already and be a part of the team and fill a role that’s really important for us is exciting,” Hinkley said.

“And to see you play for Port Adelaide for the first time I hope it’s a memorable day for you and you enjoy the opportunity.”