AFL draft 2015: Bailey Rice torn between Carlton, St Kilda

BAILEY Rice was just three when Carlton legend Stephen Kernahan speared a footy into his head as dad Dean prepared for one of his 234 AFL games.

Bailey Rice takes part in testing during the 2015 AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, October 10, 2014, in Docklands, Australia. Picture: Hamish Blair

BAILEY Rice was just three when Carlton legend Stephen Kernahan speared a footy into his head as dad Dean prepared for one of his 234 AFL games.

It is one of the lifelong Blues supporter’s earliest memories, along with sitting in the motorcade with his dad — a premiership Blue — after he retired in 2001.

Rice pulled on navy blue twice this year when he represented Carlton’s VFL team, including a curtain-raiser against Collingwood — his first match on the MCG.

A week later and the draft prospect was sledged by Eli Templeton when he lined up against St Kilda’s VFL affiliate Sandringham in a sliding doors match for the draft prospect.

Dean Rice played 116 games for the Saints before joining Carlton and Bailey will formally nominate both clubs as father-son destinations after the trade period.

The problem is, Rice must nominate a No. 1 preference which will likely be where he starts his AFL career.

Faced with the same choice as Jake Carlisle last week, on the surface it seems Rice would opt for Ikon Park to join new coach Brendon Bolton’s rebuild.

But it isn’t that simple.

Bailey Rice takes off during testing at the draft combine. Picture: Hamish Blair

Rice spent eight Tuesdays at Seaford this year receiving medical treatment on an injured groin, joining skills sessions and watching players go through their match footage.

Coach Alan Richardson, recruiter Tony Elshaug and list chief Ameet Bains paid Rice a house visit recently, the Saints quizzed him on Thursday at the draft combine and he played TAC Cup with goalsneak Jack Lonie last year.

Rice goes to school with Tom Siposs — brother of delisted Saint Arryn — and struck up friendships with Hugh Goddard and Tom Lee this year.

Choose the Saints and Rice can likely stay at home next year. Join the Blues and he’ll have to relocate.

Rice, 18, doesn’t watch much footy yet found himself parked in front of the TV when the Saints played this year, drawn to their exciting brand and bright future.

“But then there’s Carlton, who I’ve been following all my life, so if I chose St Kilda … it’s tough, I really don’t know what I’ll do,” Rice said.

Both clubs want the physical half-back, who boasts speed and power, and after a strong season he is tipped to cost a pick between 20-40 under the new bidding system.

“I’ve been a Carlton supporter all my life so before this year I’ve always been dreaming of playing with Carlton,” Rice said.

“But then you get to this year and you realise they’re all really the same.”

Bailey Rice in action for Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC Cup. Picture: Josie Hayden

The Saints have been far more hands-on this year, but Rice — flanked by Dean and manager Mark Kleiman — sat down with Bolton after he was named coach.

“(Bolton) was good. He likes to speak …. he speaks quite a bit,” Rice said.

“The club is starting its rebuild, which is not a bad thing to be a part of because you grow with everyone and they’re the same age.”

Rice — who kicked 10 goals in school footy for Hallam this year — grew up with his dad’s 1995 framed premiership photo in his room and said if he wasn’t following his father’s AFL footsteps he would have followed one of his uncles into the army or the police force.

But it is footy and he is continuing to flip-flop.

“I’m just changing all the time,” he said.

“It’s tough — if I could nominate both clubs I would because I’m fine with both clubs. But I’ve got to pick one.”