'At least he's there': Odd one out in iconic four-player schoolboy photo thrown AFL lifeline
The Gold Coast Suns have announced they will re-select midfielder Ben Jepson in next month's AFL rookie draft, after officially delisting him on Friday.
Jepson initially joined the Suns via the supplemental selection period ahead of the 2025 season, earning his spot after impressive stints in the VFL with Southport and Coburg.
However, Jepson is perhaps best known for being the fourth schoolboy in an iconic picture from Carey Grammar's 2019 APS premiership.
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Ben Jepson is perhaps best known as the fourth schoolboy in a famous Carey Grammar photo. Getty/ Seven
Jepson, 24, played in that triumphant side alongside schoolmates and current AFL stars Matt Rowell, Nick Daicos, and Noah Anderson, but is often the one cropped or forgotten in the celebrated image.
In a hilarious moment at this year's Brownlow Medal, Anderson made sure to publicly shout out Jepson as the famed picture featured in the broadcast.
"I'll give a shout-out. Ben Jepson's the one on the left, he always gets left out," he said to laughter from the crowd.
"At least he's there. Usually it's cropped for three."
However, in a moment of irony, interviewer Hamish McLachlan appeared unaware of who Jepson was.
"Is he gonna get a game?," McLachlan asked upon learning he was on the Suns' list.
"He played this year," Anderson said.
Ben Jepson during a Gold Coast Suns training session. Matt Roberts via Getty Images
Jepson made his AFL debut against the Adelaide Crows in round 19 — his only senior game this season.
He had a strong 2025 season in the reserves, playing 16 VFL games and finishing second in the Suns' VFL best and fairest award.
Jepson also previously finished runner-up in Southport's VFL best and fairest (2024) and won Coburg's best and fairest (2023).
"We have committed to selecting Ben in the upcoming rookie draft. After earning a spot on our list and making his AFL debut in 2025, we believe he will continue to be a valuable member of our squad," the club said in a statement.
The rookie draft is set for Friday, November 21.
