One of football's most famous families will equal another for most games, combined, between a grandfather, father and son at the highest level this weekend.
Jack Silvagni, playing in his 144th match of AFL football, will take the total amount of games played between him, his famous father Stephen, and Stephen's famous father, Sergio, to 695, a number matched only by the revered Kennedys.
It's the latest, timely reminder of the serendipity and romance attached to the father-son draft concession, and, it's as fitting a time as any to take a stroll down memory lane and appreciate the generational greatness that bonds families - players and fans alike.
***Disclaimer: this list is specific to grandfather-father-son or father-son lineages. Bands of brothers, such as the Danihers and Selwoods, cousins, such as the Riewoldts, and marital bonds, such as the one that famously joined the Tuck and Ablett clans have not been considered as one unit.***
8. Murphys
Leo Murphy holds the distinction of being the first player to win consecutive best and fairests at Hawthorn, a feat the defender achieved in 1936-37. He played 132 games between 1930 and 1940.
Leo's son John won five best and fairests at Fitzroy, and another with South Melbourne, across his 246 games. Three times, he was his club's leading goalkicker, and he was awarded selection in Fitzroy's Team of the Century, and the Australian Football Hall of Fame.
John's son Marc, eligible for father-son drafting to Brisbane Lions given the merger, opted against such a course of action, so that he may stay in Victoria. The third-generation footballer was taken by Carlton with the first overall selection in the 2005 National Draft.
He would go onto to play 300 games in the navy blue, captaining the club for six seasons, and winning best and fairest, All-Australian and AFLCA Champion Player of the Year honours in 2011. He added a second John Nicholls Medal in 2017, leading admirably as his team was anchored to the bottom four.
When Marc played his 100th game in 2010, the Murphys became the first family to see three generations play 100 games at the level.
