Lining up in the guard was Max Hanna (son of Milham), Joseph and Ben Sexton (sons of Michael), Charlie McKay (son of Andrew), Ben, Tom and Jack Silvagni (sons of Stephen), Billy Alvin (son of Tom), Jack Meldrum (son of Paul), Tom and Mitchell Gleeson (sons of Adrian), Oskar and Archie Manton (sons of Glenn), Bailey Rice (son of Dean), Charly Williams (son of Greg), Tanner and Cooper Ratten (sons of Brett) and Mackenzie and Jackson Hogg (sons of Matthew).
The boys were invited to welcome the Carlton team onto the paddock as part of their involvement with the newly-developed Carlton Academy. The academy was established at Visy Park in 2010 as a means of introducing the sons of Carlton players to the football environment.
Hanna, the 1995 premiership player, commended the club for its foresight in establishing the academy.
“It’s a good way of keeping an eye on the kids if any of them show a little bit of potential, and the kids love it too because it’s a bit of fun,” Hanna said.
Hogg, the uncompromising on-baller who also earned a ’95 premiership medallion, and whose sons Jackson and Mackenzie were participants, said the academy served as a means of keeping former players involved. As he said, “It’s all about galvanising the club”.
Son Jackson was equally glowing. As he said: “The academy is really fun. It was good to meet some new friends and I think it improved our skills a lot”.
Carlton Development and Academy Manager Darren Harris described the Academy as “a good concept”.
“At the end of the day it’ll be fantastic to get a kid who comes in and plays like [Dylan] Buckley does next year,” Harris said. “Hopefully down the track we’ll get more father/sons playing at the Carlton Football Club. Importantly we are helping to ensure Carlton continues to be part of the family for the boys and they learn a little more about their dad’s careers.”
