How family connections will fuel the AFL grand final

You barrack in the outer long enough, you see the descendants of your heroes coming through the football ranks.

First, it makes you feel old, then you start to enjoy hearing those familiar names.

Eventually, it becomes fun searching for family traits in the faces of youngsters, remembering their fathers and uncles from fading Scanlen cards, images stuck to your memory with strips of pink chewing gum.

This grand final is a treat in that regard: both the Demons and the Bulldogs boast relatives of former VFL/AFL players.

A combination of nature and nurture has prepared these athletes – gifts of athleticism and family support, many hands to hold as they follow their instincts toward the bright lights of AFL stardom.

Mostly, the players have themselves to thank. They’ve put in the hours of training required to make their mark and be remembered for a long time, to cast their own formidable shadows.

Here’s the full list of family ties in this year’s AFL grand final:

Melbourne Demons

Charlie Spargo: Twenty-one-year-old number eight flashes around the forward line, hunting tackles and crumbs. He comes from the proud Ovens and Murray football region and a storied football family.

Charlie’s father Paul (North Melbourne), grandfather Bob (Footscray), great uncle Ricky (Footscray), and great grandfather Bob Sr (Melbourne and Footscray) all playing more than 50 games at VFL/AFL level.

Jack Viney: The tough midfielder and former captain is about to play his 150th game. He got picked up by Melbourne as a father/son selection in the 2012 draft.

His dad, Todd, played 233 games for the Demons and was a mainstay of the side throughout the 1990s. He also captained the club and was a two-time best and fairest.

Jake Bowey: The lightning halfback is rising to the occasion in his first year.