New draftee Jaxon Prior is one of the few lucky people who can turn to their Dad with the knowledge he knows exactly what he’s going through. His father Michael Prior, now an assistant coach at Fremantle, was Pick No. 3 at the 1992 AFL Draft, selected by Essendon.
“He lets me know that I was a bit later than that but he’s still proud of me,” Prior told media earlier this morning.
When the Lions called his name with Pick No. 59 on the second day of the NAB AFL Draft this year, his father was the first person he hugged.
“He’s been massive, I don’t know if I’d be here today without him,” Prior said.
“I couldn’t thank him enough for all the things he’s done for me since I started footy since I was four years old.”
Prior felt even more excited about the move to Queensland with the knowledge that his Western Australian teammate Deven Robertson would be with him.
“I couldn’t think of anyone better,” he said.
The pair have known each other for a long time and work better being on the same side.
“We were in the same state team in the Under 12’s and we were going through the trials together,” Prior said.
“I remember he was a very tough opponent, he was quite fit back then and I knew he was Darren Glass’ nephew so I kind used that as an excuse when he was a bit better than me.”