The dual premiership ruckman, who has earned the respect of the football community for his work ethic and leadership, is one of 10 Australian sportsmen to have been nominated for the award.
Read more about Jolly's life as a father.
Jolly, 30, is married to Deanne and is the father of two girls, Scarlett, 5 and Lily, 3.
Despite shouldering the considerable burden that comes with being Collingwood’s first choice ruckman, Jolly’s children remain his first priority.
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Jolly on the amount of inspiration his kids provide him
Huge, I always want them to be proud of me and I'm always conscious of being the best role model I can be for them. I want to give them the best life I can, so they inspire me to succeed and try my hardest at everything I do.
On setting a good example for his children…
Absolutely. I want them to be happy, healthy, decent, respectful, hardworking, caring people one day, so all of my actions reflect these values with the awareness that the girls are watching how I handle myself in every situation.
On his children’s interest in his career…
Scarlett has definitely started to show more of an interest in footy this year as she is starting to understand what is going on so she likes watching the footy and going to games. Lily loves singing the Maggies song and talking about her second favourite player Dale Thomas!
On whether or not they understand his fame and stature…
They both know I play footy, but they think that everyone's daddy plays footy! Scarlett is in prep this year and when she found out that her school principal barracks for Collingwood, she got a bit mixed up and very excitedly told me that "Mr Rothwell plays for Collingwood!"
Deanne Jolly on Darren’s best asset as a father…
Obviously I am biased, but I think he is just a wonderful role model for them to look at and see what a good man and a great father he is. Darren is a salt of the earth country boy, which is reflected in his values. He teaches them so many important things just by his own actions like working hard, being fair, following your dreams, loving and appreciating your family, being respectful...things that will stand them in good stead their whole lives.
Deanne Jolly on Darren’s involvement in the day-to-day care of their children…
Darren has always been a very hands on dad and has been just as involved in all aspects of their upbringing as I am from making them lunch to putting their hair in plats! Since Scarlett and Lily were babies, Darren has always bathed them every night while I make dinner and I know that he loves spending that time with them as soon as he gets home. We've moved on from the nappy changing stage, so he is into new things like doing Scarlett's reader with her every night...she won't let me do it now, it always has to be daddy!
And does he treat his children?
Yes he takes us to the movies and the playground and to Watt's Cook (cafe called Watt's Cooking) for baby chinos - Scarlett Jolly
