New Blue Harry Dean Continues Family Tradition
The Carlton Football Club has secured a piece of living history with their selection of Harry Dean as the No.3 pick in the AFL draft. The 18-year-old key defender becomes the highest-drafted player in his position since the Blues used the No.1 selection on Jacob Weitering a decade ago.
Harry Dean only celebrated his 18th birthday last week, but already carries the weight of family expectation as the son of two-time Carlton premiership legend Peter Dean. The connection runs deep through 248 games of club history.
Family Ties and Football Destiny
Carlton matched West Coast's bid to pick Dean, demonstrating their commitment to keeping the young defender within the family. As a product of Carlton's academy system, the path to Navy Blue always seemed likely, though interest from other clubs confirmed his rising stock.
"I'm so happy. I have no words," Dean expressed after officially joining the club his father made famous. "I wasn't expecting this (No.3), I was just hoping anywhere to get picked up, any number. It shows how hard I've worked this year."
The draft moment became a family affair when Peter Dean officially welcomed his son to the Blues, surrounded by friends who travelled from Albury to share the experience.
Overcoming Adversity and Building Identity
When Dean pulled on his sleepless Carlton guernsey, it revealed the vivid scar running down his left arm - a testament to the injuries he's overcome. After initial surgery last year, he had surgical pins and plates removed just 10 weeks ago.
"This is much better than it looked before. It's healing well," Dean noted, already looking forward to his first club session. "I'm in Friday (at the club). I'm ready to go."
The young defender has already sought advice about managing expectations as the son of a club great, catching up with Jack Silvagni two weeks ago. Silvagni, another father-son recruit who recently moved to St Kilda, offered valuable perspective.
"Just more pressure-wise, how he went about it," Dean explained. "But Jack said have fun, not be your dad, but be yourself, create your own identity."
Looking to the Future
Carlton envisions Dean eventually slotting into their defence as a replacement for Silvagni, potentially forming a partnership with Jacob Weitering. Dean described the prospect of playing alongside Weitering as "unbelievable."
He's already considering potential matchups, including a possible Opening Round encounter with former Carlton key forward Charlie Curnow, now at Sydney. "He probably has me with a bit more muscle and a bit more speed, I will have to work on that. But I reckon I'd be ready," Dean assessed realistically.
While much attention focuses on the father-son connection, Dean acknowledged his mother Kerrie's influence too. "Mum is pretty calm, but once she snaps, she can snap. And I love my Mum," he said, suggesting where his competitive edge might originate.
As for that famous footage of Peter Dean falling off the stage after the 1995 grand final? It's part of family lore that Harry now carries forward as he begins his own Carlton journey.
