JAMES Stewart concedes it would've been a special moment had Collingwood decided to take him with a father-son selection in last year's NAB AFL Draft.
Stewart's father Craig made 115 appearances and kicked 121 goals for the Magpies between 1978-1983 before finishing his career with Richmond.
But the 19-year-old now calls it a "blessing in disguise" as he prepares to make his Greater Western Sydney debut against Gold Coast on Sunday.
Stewart was informed just before the deadline for father-son nominations last year the Pies had decided not to take him.
While it was initially a disappointment, he quickly focused on preparing for his year 12 exams and hoping for an opportunity elsewhere in the national draft.
"It would've been pretty special to play at the same club as my dad," Stewart told AFL.com.au.
"But it wasn't something I was too worried about as long as I got an opportunity somewhere and I'm grateful for the move to GWS.
"At the end of the day all I really wanted was an opportunity at any AFL club.
"Whatever door opened on that draft night, I was rapt."
A 197cm, 80kg key position prospect, the Giants picked up Stewart with the 27th overall pick.
A member of the Sandringham Dragons, Stewart was also part of the AIS-AFL Academy and impressed with Vic Metro in the Under-18 championships.
He also knew all five of GWS' other draftees from last year – Lachie Whitfield, Jono O'Rourke, Lachie Plowman, Kristian Jaksch and Aidan Corr – from junior football in Victoria, which aided his move to Sydney.
"Dad's the same as me, he's just happy I got the opportunity with an AFL club and to be at GWS has been a bit of a blessing in disguise really," he said.
"Just to come up to Sydney and develop has been really good.
"It's an exciting group we've got here, the new facilities are on the way and there's promising times ahead.
"I moved up with the six draftees, who I all had something to do with through junior footy.
"We're all Melbourne boys and have known each other a bit, so that made the transition quite smooth."
A back issue curtailed Stewart's development over the first half of the year, but once that was under control he began working on his fitness and playing with the reserves.
Initially starting in the backline, he has been playing predominantly forward in recent weeks and that's where he expects to line up against the Suns.
His parents and brother are making the trip to Metricon Stadium, in what will also be coach Kevin Sheedy's final match.
"It'll be a big step up from the NEAFL," Stewart said.
"It's really exciting being the last round and Sheeds' last game as well.
"With my back, I wasn't putting too many strict goals on the year.
"It just would've been great to sneak a game in to get that experience and then go into my next pre-season knowing what it takes and where I need to improve.
"To get that opportunity this week will be great."
