Ben Jarman says he wants to be just like any other draft hopeful, but even if he did not have a famous footballing name his early test results would help him stand out.
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The 18-year-old from South Australia is the son of Darren Jarman and has been attracting the attention of the football media for years – he could go to either Hawthorn or Adelaide under the father-son rule.
His uncle Andrew said earlier this year the Hawks had been paying more attention to the small midfielder and forward, but Jarman said he had been in contact with representatives of both clubs, along with some others.
"I was lucky enough to train with Adelaide for a few days early in the year and I spoke to Hawthorn at the start of the year," he said.
Jarman said he had spoken to recruiters from both clubs again this week but was still unsure of where he was likely to end up. "They play their card pretty close to their chests, we'll just wait and see, I'll have a chat to family and friends over the next few weeks and see where it's all at," he said.
Jarman said he did not have a preference for where he would like to play next year.
"I'm just like any other kid in the draft, I just want to play AFL and get drafted, it doesn't really bother me where I go," he said.
Jarman was one of 80 draft prospects aiming to impress AFL recruiters at the annual draft combine this week and although some have questioned his work rate, his early results were strong.
In the first round of testing, Jarman was equal first in the clean hands test and ranked within the top-10 performers in the kicking and goal kicking challenges.
Jarman said his game had some similarities to that of his father. Darren used the ball well and the younger Jarman said that too was one of his strengths, along with hitting targets.
His famous footballing surname had not made him an on-field target as a junior, Jarman said.
"To be honest I didn't get many sledges about my last name," Jarman said. "I'm pretty quiet really, I don't say much I just go about my business and play my role for the team."
Jarman was just a baby when Darren kicked five goals in the Crows' grand final win over North Melbourne in 1998 and was too young to really remember his father's playing career.
But the old man sometimes liked to watch videos of his best matches.
"He loves getting the tapes out and showing me how good he was," Jarman said. "It's just a bit of banter he likes to give out, but it's all good fun."
