Harry Thompson is no stranger to the four walls of the Adelaide Football Club. 

The 16-year-old’s father, Scott, who was recently inducted to the Club’s Hall of Fame, played 269 games for the Crows from 2005-2017, and would often bring his son along to enjoy the journey with him.

Now a talented up-and-coming footballer in his own right, Harry has continued to stay involved with the Club, having been part of its Academies program from the age of 12 and a regular feature at training sessions and matches as he continued his development. 

The Club’s Past Players and Officials organisation recently recognised Thompson’s promise by awarding him one of its Second Generation Academy Scholarships.

Speaking to AFC Media, Thompson reflected on his long-term involvement with the Crows and how it had influenced his football journey.

“It's been unreal to be around all the players and have the opportunity to train in an environment like this over the past few years. It's been amazing and I’ve been very lucky,” Thompson said.

“Just being in an elite environment such as this, and seeing the likes of (Jordan) Dawson and (Izak) Rankine out on the track, it’s been really inspiring as I try to follow in those footsteps.

“I’ve always loved the Crows, and for them to give me these opportunities to train through the Academies programs and now this scholarship, I couldn’t be more grateful.” 

Thompson was one of two recipients of the Adelaide Football Club’s 2027 Past Players and Officials Second Generation Academy Scholarship, sharing the honour with Annabelle Shirley. 

The scholarship’s aim is to support and promote talent and high performance for youngsters in the Crows Academies Second Generation program, which focuses on the sons and daughters of past players. 

Thompson said he would put the funding towards a personal training program, as he looks to improve himself ahead of the final two years of his junior footy journey. 

“I'm extremely grateful to the football Club for giving me this scholarship, it means a lot to me,” Thompson said. 

“Just to have these funds to put towards my future and better myself, it is such a great opportunity as I continue to grow as a player.

“I reckon I'll use the funding for some personal training for myself to improve my fitness and my strength training and put myself in the best possible position to succeed heading into a couple of really important seasons ahead.”

Former Crow Sam Jacobs, who is Chairman of the Club’s Past Players and Officials Board, said it was an honour for the organisation to play a small part in assisting Thompson on his football endeavours. 

“This is the first year we’ve given out a scholarship to a boy and a girl, which is great to support both groups in their pursuit,” Jacobs said. 

“Hopefully, we can play a little part in supporting their journeys. 

“It’s also a great way to be able to help our past players and their kids feel connected and an opportunity for us to support them.” 

Thompson currently plies his trade for SANFL Club Glenelg in its under-16 team, which recently won the premiership, while his father recently took up a role as a development coach at the Brisbane Lions. 

He said that while he had taken inspiration from his father’s career, he was excited to forge his own path, kicking goals up forward rather than racking up contested possessions like his old man.

“I can't really remember it (him playing) as it's a long time ago now, but he’s always really helped me from the very start of my footy journey, it’s always been good having him in my corner,” Thompson said. 

“He's pretty humble about it (his footy career), but I’ve seen vision and know how good of a player he was, especially through the midfield. 

“As a player I’m a bit different to what he was, I think my goal sense is pretty good, my skills and execution too and I like to focus on just being clean with the ball and executing well as a forward.”

Previous Second Generation Academy Scholarship recipients:

2024/2025 – Mitchell Stevens, son of Crows premiership player Mark Stevens
2025/2026 – Polly Turner, daughter of former Crow Peter Turner