Emerging young Saint Jade Gresham shares a unique link with North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey, the man who could do the unfathomable and break the games record when his side faces St Kilda in Round 19.
When a young ‘Boomer’ Harvey was coming through the TAC Cup in pursuit of a career in the AFL, he played alongside Gresham’s father, Jamie, at the Northern Knights.
20 years and more than 400 games separate Harvey and Gresham junior, but some of their on-field traits are uncanny. The pair share a classy sidestep, an innate sense of where the goals are and a high level of football nous.
As Jade has progressed through the underage ranks, had his name called out on draft night and begun his career at Linen House Centre, he has leant on his old man’s friendship at times, picking the brains of the evergreen five-time best and fairest winner.
“I sort of model my game on him a little bit,” Gresham told Melbourne radio station SEN on Wednesday afternoon.
“Dad grew up with him and I give him a call sometimes and he’s been great. I watch a bit of footage of him.”
Since landing on the Saints doorstep in late November, Gresham has made a seamless transition into the AFL, playing ten of the first 13 games to leave a mark in his debut season.
The former Northern Knights captain admits the biggest challenge he has faced in his infancy is getting his body up each week, a process that has made him focus far more on recovery than he has in the past.
“It was a massive step up. You sort of don’t know what to expect walking in the door,” Gresham said.
“I’ve found it hard getting my body right week-in week-out for training and getting my body up for games as well.
“But now I’m feeling pretty fresh and I’ve got a hold of all the recovery protocols.”
In the final media requirement of his Rising Star nomination week, Gresham lauded Mav Weller’s leadership, particularly his ability to provide guidance on-field.
“Mav’s been awesome this year. His leadership’s been unreal – he’s been great to us younger boys, he’s always letting us know where to go and what not,” Gresham said.
“We regard him really highly at the Saints, he’s having a ripper year and he’s pressures been phenomenal.”
Limited Edition History Book: Celebrating 50 Years 1966-2016 The Archives Edition
