Being the mother of an AFL player can bring a whirlwind of emotions - sharing the exhilarating highs and the heart-wrenching lows alongside your son.
To celebrate Mother’s Day, mums of Crows players gathered at the Club’s West Lakes headquarters on Friday to watch their sons train, and some shared with AFC Media what it’s really like being a parent to an AFL footballer.
Marian Dawson (Captain Jordan Dawson’s mum)
“It’s amazing to be Jordan’s mum.
“I’m obviously very proud of him. It’s still surreal (to know he’s Captain), people ask me ‘what’s it like being Jordan’s mum?’, but he’s still the same person he always was.
“We acknowledge the hard times and have chats, they are very special moments when we do catch up and let him know how proud we are of him.
“We went to a Showdown lunch and saw him interviewed and it’s nice to go to those special moments.
“He acknowledged us while he was there, which was lovely. He was asked about where he grew up and his parents and it was nice to hear what he had to say about us.
“He’s a lovely lad.
“Sydney was a great club but it’s really nice having him closer - it’s a three-and-a-half hour drive, so we can pop down and see him and Milly whenever we can.”
Mel Foote (Rory Laird’s mum)
“This is our 14th season but I love it. I'm a bit of a footy tragic, so I’m glad he took up footy.
“It’s been good, he’s been pretty lucky, touch wood, with injuries, so I love every minute of it.
“You watch them the whole game and then when they come off in one piece, you think ‘thank goodness’ and then go home and watch the replay because you didn’t watch most of the game.
“We are pretty close, so we share a lot, it’s great.”
Kerry O’Brien (Izak Rankine’s mum)
“Seeing Izak out on the field, it’s like ‘wow, is that my son?’
“I get emotional, I get tears in my eyes every time I see him out there.
“I am just so proud of him, I get nervous when he’s going for a goal.”
Sharon Neal-Bullen (Alex Neal-Bullen’s mum)
“It is so special that he’s come full circle now playing for the Crows after having his bedroom painted in Crows colours growing up.
“After 10 years, he’s come full circle and lucky enough to be welcomed here.
“I get quite excited and I’m quite vocal in a very positive way, but I do have a mix of excitement and nerves when he’s going for goal.
“When I’m watching, I scan and just watch him, like a lot of the mums do, but it’s very joyful, we love it.
“We got to witness him winning a Premiership and it was really special, it was rewarding for us to see all the hard work Alex put in and the sacrifice pay off.
“Hopefully it will happen again at the Crows.
Claudine Thilthorpe (Riley Thilthorpe’s mum)
“Being a mum of an AFL player is actually quite easy.
“I love watching him play, it makes my heart feel warm and full.
“He’s happy and that’s all that matters.
“I actually like the beard, except for when it gets too long.”
Julia Dowling (Billy Dowling’s mum)
“I am super proud of him, he’s been on this path since he was a little four-year-old, he used to sleep with a football, so he has followed his dream.
“When he was young he used to say ‘when I’m an AFL footballer will you come and visit me?’, so the fact he’s actually here is great and he’s got there.
Kveta Vlotman (Wayne Milera’s mum)
“For me it’s something I am really proud of because he’s living out his childhood dream.
“Ever since Wayne could walk and talk he always had a football in his hand. To see someone so determined to fulfil that dream is a really proud moment.
“Sometimes it can be really scary, especially not knowing the outcomes of contracts or injuries and as we know Wayne has had a few injuries.
“To see him back on the field and doing what he loves is amazing.
“I am really passionate about AFL, so not only loving the sport, but seeing your child play makes it even more special.”
Tracey Smith (Brodie Smith’s mum)
“We’ve been a part of this for 15 years and it’s been a huge chunk of our lives, we travel to a lot of interstate games and we’ve met so many great people along the way.
“Watching him play, when I’m in the game and in the moment, I’m fine, but when they start heading for each other, I still take a breath and hope there’s no concussions.
“But we’ve loved it, it’s absolutely been great. The highs definitely outweigh the lows.
Jenny Borlase (James Borlase’s mum)
“It’s definitely a rollercoaster ride, but it’s rewarding and pleasing to see them learn along the way and enjoy the really high moments.
“You’re there to support them for the lows - Darryl and I love watching James play - it’s exciting to see them do something they love and we are just really proud.
Stacey Pedlar (Luke Pedlar’s mum)
“The best part is watching him do something he absolutely loves and the worst part is when they get hurt.
“I love his determination and his resilience.
“The friendships you make with the parents are also a great part of your son being an AFL player.”
Robyn Cook (Brayden Cook’s mum)
‘It’s exciting to see him live his dream, and to see his development and growth along the way has been great.
“I’m excited to see what the future holds for him.
