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.***
5. Ashcrofts
Marcus Ashcroft has done wonders for football in its northern frontier.
Ashcroft rode the bumps of the Brisbane Bears experiment, stuck fat, and was rewarded with three premierships after their merger with Fitzroy birthed the Brisbane Lions. He totalled 318 games at the level, and was pivotal in the Gold Coast Suns' entry into the league, first as an assistant coach, and then as football manager.
Then along came his sons.
Both Will and Levi have contributed to the Lions' current dynasty.
Will missed the heartbreaking 2023 grand final loss through an ACL injury, and returned with a vengeance, winning back to back Norm Smith Medals as the best on ground in both of the Lions' 2024 and 2025 premiership triumphs.
Levi was drafted ahead of the 2025 season, and saluted in September in his maiden season.
Between the father and his two sons are six premierships, two Norm Smith Medals, a Goal of the Year nod, a Gary Ayres Medal and 435 games, and counting.
