With plenty of discussion surrounding the dominance of the Daicos', the Ashcrofts and the De Konings in today's league, we thought it was time to take a look at some of the greatest football families in the history of our game.
Here are 10 of the best AFL football families that have graced the game...
Honourable Mentions: The Burgoynes, the Moores, the Ashcrofts, the Darcys, the Liberatores, the Tucks, the Whittens, the Barassis, the Scarletts, the Silvagnis, the Fletchers, the Hawkins', the Maddens, the Blakeys, the Clokes, the Hirds, the Roccas', the Picketts, the Hills, the Scotts, the Curnows and the Pickens'.
2. The Daicos'
When arguably the worst player in the family is an All-Australian and best and fairest winner for a premiership side, you know the genes are good.
Although Josh may be known as the 'lesser' Daicos, the wingman/defender's career to date is nothing short of exceptional. As mentioned earlier, Josh earned All-Australian honours and received Collingwood's best and fairest award in their flag-winning 2023 side. This is no mean feat considering the wingman had the likes of Jordan De Goey (All-Australian squad member), Isaac Quaynor (All-Australian squad member), Darcy Moore (All-Australian full-back), Bobby Hill (Norm Smith medallist), Brayden Maynard (2022 All-Australian), Scott Pendlebury (23 disposals per game), Jack Crisp (21 disposals per game), Brody Mihocek (team high 47 goals) and brother Nick (All-Australian) to contend with for the Collingwood crown. Josh showed promising signs early on in his career, making the 22under22 team and kicking the goal of the year against Sydney in 2020. Still at only 26 years of age, Josh has plenty of time to add to his growing collection of accolades. He currently sits on 135 games played and has kicked 65 goals in his eight years since being drafted at number 57.
At just 22 years old, there is an argument that younger brother Nick might already be the best player in the league. Nick initially burst onto the AFL scene in 2022, winning the Rising Star Award in his debut season with a record number of votes (a full 60/60). This, to this day, makes Nick the only unanimous winner of the Rising Star Award in the Medal's history. Nick has since earned one premiership, two All-Australian selections, one best and fairest, one AFLCA award and an Anzac Day Medal. The former Oakleigh Charger could also consider himself unlucky not to have pocketed the Brownlow Medal in 2024, especially since his 38 votes would have smashed any other count in history.
While Nick and Josh are on their way to building noteworthy careers, their father, Peter, has long established a legacy as one of the greatest players in Collingwood history. In his 250-game career with the Magpies, Peter recorded 549 goals, currently sitting fourth in the club's all-time goalkicking charts. Much like his sons, the 'Macedonian Marvel' made the All-Australian team in a premiership year (1990) and played a pivotal role in guiding his team to success. Peter registered a career high 97 goals in this flag-winning campaign and was the equal top goalkicker in that year's Grand Final. Across his illustrious playing career, Peter amassed many accolades, including one premiership, three All-Australians, two best and fairests, one goal of the year award and on an impressive five occasions had finished atop Collingwood's end-of-season goalkicking tally. The 63-year-old has since been inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame and was named in the Collingwood team of the century.
As of today, the Daicos family have three premierships, six All-Australians, four best and fairests, one AFLCA MVP and two goal of the year awards.
Couldnโt manage to get the Silvagni name in there Dale?
Not a great effort Dale.
You include uncles and cousins โ but ONLY if they have the same name. A few extra moment of research would have told you that the Ablett famil also includes Michael, Travis and Tuck.
While the Watson family includes Seb Ross.