TAC Cup: AFL father-son prospects Rhylee West and Mason Fletcher look to shine at Calder Cannons

Two sons of AFL legends will be part of Calder Cannons TAC Cup squad this year as they strive to continue their families’ AFL legacies.

Mason Fletcher is one of the father-son prospects at Calder Cannons. Picture: Getty Images.

LIKE father, like son.

Two sons of AFL legends will be part of Calder Cannons TAC Cup squad this year as they strive to continue their families’ AFL legacies.

Rhylee West, the son of Western Bulldogs legend Scott, plays much like his father did during his decorated 324-game career.

A ferocious appetite for the contest is a hallmark of the younger West’s game, much like his father before him.

“West is a hard in-and-under (player),” Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte said.

“He will get a lot of possessions, lay a lot of tackles, hit a lot of bodies.

“He’s also been doing some training with the Bulldogs.”

Jack Bytel (centre) is considered one of Calder Cannons’ best draft prospects. Picture: Pat Scala.

Mason Fletcher, the son of former Essendon defender Dustin, has already drawn comparisons to his dad for the similarities in their appearances.

Fletcher, who was last year listed at 197cm, also exhibits the marking and spoiling ability which helped earn his dad 400 games in the red and black. Kyte said Fletcher had proven he was capable of playing key defence and could be thrown other challenges this year.

“We will obviously have to try and showcase him as a forward because we have got that commitment to not only Essendon, but to the other clubs, to make a decision to decide if they are going to bid against them,” he said.

“He’ll probably play majority back when he is here but also we’ll give him an opportunity to play elsewhere.”

Both West and Fletcher will be eligible to be drafted as father-son selections this year.

Renowned as one of the TAC Cup’s ‘footy factories’, Calder is hopeful of a successful season after missing finals and only having one player — Richmond’s Noah Balta — drafted in 2017.

AFL Academy members Jack Bytel and Curtis Taylor are considered top draft prospects, while Mitch Podhajski, Jake Riccardi, Daniel Hanna and Dylan Landt will return as 19-year-olds to press their claims.

Kyte said Bytel, an Aberfeldie junior, is a “ball magnet”, while Keilor product Taylor is a 186cm forward capable of running through midfield.

“His ability to mark the ball, get it at ground level, to follow up, is pretty good,” he said.

The Cannons meet Western Jets in Round 1.