Carlton Next Generation Academy prospect Jack Ison had his AFL dream finally realised on Thursday night, after a slight slide saw him fall out of first round projections and to Pick 47 in the National Draft.
The wait was unsurprisingly a nervy one for the power forward but when the Blues-tied prospect heard his name announced, it justified the years of hard work spent at Ikon Park as a junior which helped catapult his name up boards in his draft year.
"It's been a dream of mine to be an AFL player ever since I was a kid and for it to be at Carlton is unreal. I've been training there and building such great relationships with so many people, so for it to finally happen, I'm over the moon," Ison told Carlton Media.
"There were a few club who could have bid on me late in the first round and that didn't happen, so every time there was a bid pending in the second round I was thinking, 'am I going, am I not going?'
"The nerves, the pulse was up and down, but for it to finally happen, I'm so happy and grateful."
Ison came on in leaps and bounds throughout 2025 as a well-built, powerful forward capable of taking grabs and injecting energy into the midfield. His production rapidly improved in the Coates Talent League this season, averaging eight more disposals and presenting as a dangerous threat in the midfield when given the opportunity, notching 4.5 clearances per game.
He's a damaging ball user too, particularly with his delivery inside 50, creating 27 inside 50s in his six games for the Oakleigh Chargers in 2025. That's 12 more than he delivered in 2024, despite playing one less game due to injury this season.
Ison thanked his skill sessions at Carlton as a part of his rise, and a number of key midfielders for their advice over his journey as an NGA talent at the club.
"Carlton's been amazing for me," Ison said.
"I started there when I was 14 or 15, doing a few Academy sessions. It really ramped up through my under-17s and under-18s years.
"I've had such great support, whether that's building great relationships with the players and the staff or doing extra training in the centre, I'm just so happy to be at Carlton.
"There's a few role models. One is definitely Greg Williams; I've done a lot of skill sessions with him.
"In terms of the players, there's heaps. Jagga Smith is one of them, he's an amazing player and great role model for me. I've known him for a few years now, like Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh, who have helped me throughout my journey."
Ison's focus now turns to the 2026 pre-season, as he looks to justify his potential and push for an Opening Round debut, whether that's up forward or inside the Blues' engine room.
