From a young age, Jarryd Lyons looked destined for big things in the sporting arena.
His father Marty was a keen sportsman, playing 27 games of AFL football with Melbourne between 1975 and 1977, kicking four goals on debut on his way to being voted the Best First Year Player at the Demons.
The elder Lyons also played 141 games for Sandringham in the VFA, winning a senior premiership in 1985 and captaining it in 1986.
Jarryd always looked to follow in his father’s footsteps, rising to prominence in the TAC Cup with the Sandringham Dragons before being selected with pick No. 61 in the 2010 National Draft by Adelaide.
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Now at the Gold Coast SUNS, Lyons credits his father’s influence in getting him to where he is today.
“(Dad was a) massive influence,” Lyons said.
“He was a very good footballer and a very good cricketer as well so I was pretty much, when I was growing up, at his feet watching him play cricket and play footy the whole time.
“So growing up he’s been a key influence probably getting me where I am today.”
Lyons came through the junior ranks in the South Metro Junior Football League with St Peters, winning multiple Best and Fairest awards.
The former Crow often found himself coming up against Gold Coast ruckman Tom Nicholls in league grand finals with Nicholls representing the Cheltenham Panthers.
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Drafted the same year as many of Gold Coast’s foundation players, Lyons is looking forward to rekindling the friendship with a lot of current SUNS.
“Myself and Tom played against each other in three grand finals I think in 15s, 16s and U17s,” Lyons said.
“I think in the end he won two and we won one so he’s still got me on that, but yeah obviously they’re all the same year I was so it’ll be good to catch up with the boys again.”
After 55 games with Adelaide, Lyons is excited for the next chapter of his career with the Gold Coast SUNS.
“I met with Rocket and all the recruiting staff and yeah they were terrific guys that really pitched a good speech in terms of where the club’s heading and where it’s going so I’m really excited to be here,” Lyons said.
