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PATRICK Kerr knows there will be pressure to live up to his family name at Carlton, but is confident he can do so.
Kerr is the grandson of the late Laurie Kerr, one of the Blues' best players in the 1950s.
Lightning quick and courageous to a fault, Laurie played 149 games, finished second in the Carlton's 1958 best and fairest award and was later named as an emergency in the club's Team of the Century.
After retiring at the end of 1959, Laurie became an off-field powerbroker at Princes Park and played a key role in one of the most momentous signings in Carlton's history, helping to lure Melbourne great Ron Barassi to the Blues as captain-coach in 1965.
Kerr's grandmother, Vivienne, remains an important part of Carlton's fabric. At 86, she is the club's No.1 female ticket holder and the proud player sponsor of star midfielder Patrick Cripps.
Kerr's uncle Peter also played 39 games for the Blues from 1967-70, while his uncle Mark made it to reserves level.
His father, Stephen, did not progress past the under-19s, so Kerr had to find his way to Carlton in last Friday night's NAB AFL Draft like any other player.
Kerr watched the draft on television seated alongside Vivienne and his brother. When it was announced Carlton had used its last pick, No.65 overall, to select him, his grandmother led the family celebrations.
"When my name got read out, I've never seen an 86-year-old lady jump out of her seat (like that). Everyone was very happy," Kerr said on Wednesday.
Kerr is a 194cm forward from the Oakleigh Chargers, who impressed with Vic Metro during this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
A strong mark and an excellent set-shot kick, he kicked the third-highest goal tally over the course of the Championships.
The 18-year-old knows he is facing significant time in the weights room and has a lot to learn about the Blues' game plan and forward-line structures before he can eye a senior debut.
But he is up for the challenge and wouldn't want to be embarking on his AFL career anywhere else.
"I feel like I do (have a lot to live up to), but I feel like I'm [level-headed] enough to understand how to cope with it and there are enough people at the club to help you cope with it," Kerr said.
"The environment we're in now, we're all very fortunate and I don't think there would be another club that I'd rather be at.
"To come to a club that you've followed for your whole life, with a family tie to the club, is an unbelievable feeling and it hasn't sunk in yet.
"Once I go on the Christmas break and go to our family lunch, I think I might realise the position I'm in at the moment."
Kerr was just three years old when his grandfather died in December 2001, but Vivienne and the rest of his family have filled him in on Laurie's rich legacy at Carlton.
"(He was) very hard. Viv's told me many stories about him playing on the wing and going hard at the ball," Kerr said.
"He definitely put his head over it and he was quick. His skills weren't too bad either."s proud as his grandmother is to see him continue the family name at Carlton, Kerr holds few hopes Vivienne will consider abandoning Cripps to become his player sponsor.
