Privilege and pressure: Jack Callinan on famous Allies win and following in Dad’s footsteps

He’s the son of a former Adelaide goalsneak and while Tasmanian Jack Callinan admits he sometimes feels that pressure, he also understands it’s a luxury many of his draft hopefuls don’t have.

Jack Callinan is shaping as one of Tasmania’s best draft prospects this year. Picture: Linda Higginson

Fresh off a historic win as a member of the Allies side that won Sunday’s Under 18 AFL National Championship, Tasmanian Jack Callinan has said it would be ‘unreal’ to be drafted to the club his father played for come November.

Jack Callinan finished the National Championships with an average of 10.5 disposals and kicked five goals from four games. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The 17-year-old is the son of former Adelaide small forward Ian and while he is ineligible for father-son priority selection, the talented teen says he can think of worse things than donning the same colours his father did between 2011-2013.

“You have to wait and see but it wouldn’t be the worst idea, I’d love it,” Callinan said.

Callinan returned home on Monday following the 11-point win over Vic Country in Melbourne where he was one of six Tasmanians that continued to rise their stocks in a year that could prove to be the state’s biggest ever draft haul.

The Clarence TSL player finished with 14 disposals and a goal while Launceston’s Colby McKercher (32 disposals, eight clearances and two goals) and North Launceston’s Ryley Sanders (35 possessions, five clearances and three tackles) played critical roles in the victory.

Jack pictured as a youngster with mum Lauren and dad Ian in 2011. Picture: Chris Mangan.

Both McKercher and Sanders – who is boarding in Melbourne this year – have quickly risen up the ranks of this year’s draft pool with draft experts believing both will go top 10 while some rate McKercher as the best player outside highly touted Victorian Harley Reid.

Callinan, who is also a talented cricketer, said he wasn’t surprised at the hype surrounding his Allies teammates and was looking forward to returning to Tasmania Devils duties in the lead-up to November’s draft.

“To be honest not really (that surprised),” he said.

“I know the type of people and players those two guys are so I’m not really shocked to see how well they are playing.

“I know it’s cliche but I’m just trying to take it week by week. The draft isn’t until November and while it’s really exciting and nerve racking I’m really looking forward to the next couple of months.”

While both McKercher and Sanders may hear their names called out ahead of Callinan on draft night, the AFL Academy member has one thing they don’t and that’s the ability to lean on his famous father who had to make a name for himself at SANFL level before getting his AFL opportunity.

“I do (sometimes feel that extra pressure),” Callinan said.

Jack Callinan, centre, with dad Ian Callinan (left) and grandfather Des James (right) who represented Tasmania in state football and is in the Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame playing club football for Sandy Bay. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“But it is also a privilege to have that and be able to see the things that he went through. He is always great to talk to about things like that so it’s a win-win.”

Callinan will be one of a number of inclusions for the Devils this Saturday against the Oakleigh Chargers at North Hobart Oval with the game rescheduled due to travel issues this past Saturday.