AFL Draft 2015: Carlton nominate Jack Silvagni and Bailey Rice as father-son recruits

CARLTON is set to welcome another Silvagni to the club after the Blues officially nominated Jack Silvagni as a father-son recruit today.

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CARLTON is set to welcome another Silvagni to the club after the Blues officially nominated Jack Silvagni as a father-son recruit on Friday.

Son of champion fullback and list boss Steve and grandson of Serge, the 17-year-old’s path to the Blues is now clearer although he won’t know until draft night whether he’ll join the Blues following the introduction of the new father-son bidding system.

But Carlton is keen to add him to its playing stocks after a an active trade period saw it trade out senior player including Lachie Henderson and Troy Menzel and replenish the list with young talent.

“The Silvagni name is synonymous with the Blues and we’d be rapt to pick up Jack on draft night,” Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said.

“Jack certainly is a talent in his own right, and it would be a great story to be able to secure, for the first time in our history, a third generation father-son selection.”

The 190cm forward has already been likened to his father, with talent scouts describing him as possessing similar qualities in his agility, hands above his head and below his knees and his ability to read the play.

The youngster, set to turn 18 in December, has already indicated his desire to join Carlton, declaring it would be a dream come true.

“I think it’s the sort of thing that’s instilled since birth,” he said during this month’s draft combine.

“I’ve always known myself that I’ve wanted to play footy, especially at Carlton. Dad played there and my grandfather played there, so it’s never really crossed my mind that I’d be playing any other sport or doing anything else.

Jack Silvagni in action while playing for Vic Metro. Picture: Colleen Petch

“I’ve always wanted to play footy for Carlton.”

Carlton has also nominated Bailey Rice — son of premiership player Dean — despite the youngster declaring he’d prefer to play with St Kilda.

Rice is also eligible to join the Saints under father-son rules as Dean played more than 100 career games with both clubs.

But McKay says Carlton’s decision to nominate Rice means the Blues will have the opportunity to pick up the defender should circumstances change.

“Although Bailey has already indicated he’d like to go to the Saints, by nominating him, this gives us the next opportunity if anything was to change,” McKay said.

The 2015 national draft will be held in Adelaide on November 24.

Originally published as AFL Draft 2015: Carlton nominate Jack Silvagni and Bailey Rice as father-son recruits