AFL father-son: Who is on your club’s radar?

THEY’RE the giftwrapped AFL young guns who promise everything their dads did and more. Here are your club’s father-son prospects for season 2016.

Josh Dunkley, son of former Swans player Andrew Dunkley.

YOU can’t have too many Danihers — or can you?

The AFL has overhauled the father-son rule (again) to make it tougher for clubs to snare the sons of former champions.

While the Bombers were able to pick up Joe Daniher (son of Anthony) for pick 10 in 2012, recruiting Harvey Daniher (son of Chris) this year might be more complicated.

Under the new points system clubs will have to pay a designated points value for father-son guns by sacrificing potentially multiple draft picks — over multiple drafts.

The AFL hopes a discount will still encourage clubs to keep the romance alive by taking the punt on a player they hope will be the next Tom Hawkins.

Clubs have invested heavily in potential father-son picks with Essendon’s James Hird Academy nurturing a handful of teenagers eligible for this year’s draft plus more than 30 others — even Matthew Lloyd’s two-year-old boy Jacob is on the books. So is James Hird’s son Tom (13), and if Dustin Fletcher can hang on for another six seasons he could run out alongside his son Max.

So who is on your club’s father-son radar? The top prospects for this year’s draft are listed below.

ADELAIDE

BEN JARMAN — Son of Darren

Who wants him more? The Crows and Hawthorn will likely both be vying for the talented son of Adelaide premiership legend Darren Jarman. Just last weekend the midfielder had 28 touches, 12 centre clearances, six inside 50s and a goal in a best afield performance in the SANFL juniors.

BRISBANE LIONS

DANIEL RENDELL - Son of Matthew

Rendell is a raw key-position prospect is playing for the Sandringham Dragons. Tyler Roos, son of Paul, is 18 but is still on the Lions’ radar after being passed over by all 18 clubs last year.

CARLTON

JACK SILVAGNI — Son of Steve

You’d like to think the Blues would have a spot for young Jack, given his dad is a club legend and the man responsible for rebuilding the embattled club’s list. He’s also been brilliant for Oakleigh Chargers in the TAC Cup, and will line up for Vic Metro this weekend.

BAILEY RICE — Son of Dean

Rice will almost certainly have a choice to make, with his father playing more than 100 games for both the Blues and St Kilda. Rice Jr was best afield with 27 disposals and 14 marks in Dandenong’s opening match of the TAC Cup season. Let the battle begin.

JAKE BRADLEY — Son of Craig

Young Bradley has been serviceable so far in the TAC Cup this season, averaging just over seven disposals a game,

ESSENDON

HARVEY DANIHER — Son of Chris

The Dons could once again have multiple Danihers on the field if they select Harvey to join Joe at Tullamarine. Daniher has had a quiet start to the TAC Cup season, collecting just five possessions against Eastern Rangers while playing for Calder Cannons, in his one game to date.

TOM WALLIS — Son of Dean

Almost a certainty to be at Bomberland, having done a month of preseason training there earlier in the year, and has reportedly been meeting with the club once a week as he progresses through this year. Had a standout performance to kickstart his TAC Cup season, collecting 23 possessions against Sandringham.

Top draft prospect Sam Weideman is the grandson of Collingwood champion Murray and the son of Magpie Mark but the Pies are out of luck — dad’s 28 games don’t qualify Sam for father-son selection.

HAWTHORN

BEN JARMAN — Son of Darren

*See above under ADELAIDE

MELBOURNE

JAKE LOVETT — Son of Brett

The Demons have shown interest in the inside midfielder, who spent a week training at his old man’s club and was given a fitness program to follow during the early part of the year. Has has a solid if not spectacular season for the Dandenong Stingrays, averaging around 15 disposals a game.

ST KILDA

BAILEY RICE — Son of Dean

*See above under CARLTON

SYDNEY

JOSH DUNKLEY — Son of Andrew

Averaged 21 disposals as a bottom age player in the TAC Cup last year, has dominated in country footy and looks like a future midfield star. The Swans are sure to take him, if the Vic Country gun is prepared to relocate to Sydney. Jesse Maxfield, son of 200-gamer Stuart, becomes available next year.

WEST COAST

JORDAN MATERA — Son of Peter

The Eagles will have first crack at five-time All Australian wingman Peter Matera’s son Jordan when the draft rolls around. A Matera Jr has been a standout for the Sandringham Dragons this TAC Cup season, kicking a couple of bags of three goals, averaging around 14 possessions and four tackles a game. Will also suit up for Vic Metro against Vic Country this weekend.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

DARCY MACPHERSON — Son of Steve

The Dogs will be keeping an eye son of Steve MacPherson, who bagged 152 goals in his 188 games for the club. Darcy played 15 games for the Northern Knights last year, picking up votes in a couple of them, but is yet to be sighted in 2015 after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction. The Dogs have a database to keep track of future father-son prospects including Michael Romero (son of Jose), a small forward playing for the Calder Cannons who is eligible for next year’s draft.

Originally published as AFL father-son: Who is on your club’s radar?