“He’s nothing like KB at all … and handballs”: Grandson of legend joins Zebras

Kevin Bartlett's grandson, Callum Smith, has officially joined Sandringham in the VFL after being narrowly overlooked in last year's AFL draft.

Smith will wear KB's famous No.29 for the Zebras this season and has not given up hope of forging an AFL career.

Bartlett was presented with a No.29 Sandringham guernsey on Wednesday, with Zebras coach Daniel Ward declaring he had Patrick Cripps-like qualities.

"He's nothing like KB at all ... and handballs," Ward, a former Melbourne defender, laughed.

"Big strong, Patrick Cripps-type midfielder."

Smith won the best and fairest at the Dandenong Stingray under-18 club last year but was overlooked when the crunch came at the draft.

He is recovering from a foot injury and is yet to start full running, but Sandringham is confident Smith will push into the midfield.

"He's probably unlucky not to be on an AFL list," Ward said.

"He started as a half-back last year and went into the midfield. We think he will be great for us."

The Zebras will now have a famous regular in Bartlett at Trevor Barker Oval.

The club is about to embark on a new era as a standalone club after breaking ties with St Kilda. The Saints will have their own VFL team this year.