Loyal Wilkinson to celebrate 100 games

By ZAC MILBANK

Loyalty is a significant quality in Eamon Wilkinson’s character. 

As the energetic South Adelaide forward prepares for his 100th Hostplus SANFL League match on Saturday, he took time to reflect on how he could have easily been wearing a Sturt guernsey.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, the 25-year-old initially played in the Double Blues development squads before a boundary change ensured his hometown of Meadows was aligned to the Panthers for a short period.

It was a enough to see him settle in at Noarlunga despite the insistence of his great mate, current Sturt star Mitch Crowden, who was determined he join him to play at Unley.

Wilkinson and Crowden, who lived on opposite sides of the street in Meadows, spent countless hours kicking a footy whilst motivating each other to be the best they can be.

After tasting premiership success in the juniors at Meadows with Crowden, Wilkinson’s forged his own path in the Navy Blue, starting in the Under-16s in 2016.

But as he was attempting to put his best foot forward in his AFL Draft year of 2018, he suffered a season-ending ACL injury which required a knee reconstruction.

Wilkinson paid tribute to the Panthers for providing him and his family with exceptional support throughout his recovery process.

And it was this which has driven him to repay the faith displayed in him, by kicking 111 goals from his 99 Hostplus SANFL League appearances.

Using his speed and elusiveness to regularly hit the scoreboard and apply critical defensive pressure, Wilkinson has also represented the West End State team against the WAFL.

The commercial carpenter has also relished being elevated into the Panthers’ leadership group, providing him with a different view point on his teammates, coaches and volunteers around the club.