Collingwood youngster Callum Brown will make his AFL debut almost 17 years after his Magpies champion dad Gavin played his last game.
The Pies suffered a 19-point loss to Essendon in Brown's 254th and final AFL match.
A 28-year-old Nathan Buckley skippered Collingwood that day at the MCG and the coach was delighted to announce his former teammate's son will debut in the big Queen's Birthday clash against Melbourne.
"We broke protocol a little bit by letting him know (Thursday) morning in front of the boys ... he didn't know it was happening so he was pretty shocked," Buckley said.
"He's over the moon.
"I'm pretty sure that he would have taken the time between the meeting and training to contact mum and dad.
"There is a bit of romanticism with his old man that will clearly be reflected on and it's just great to see a Brown in the first 22 for Collingwood again."
Gavin Brown won three best-and-fairests with the Pies, played in the 1990 premiership team and captained the side for five seasons.
Standing at 178cm, Callum is shorter than his dad but the 19-year-old has inherited his father's trademark courage and toughness.
"We know that we're not going to lack in endeavour or grunt from him, but he's got a fair bit of class to go with that," Buckley said.
"He's busy ... he's a ball winner and a ball hunter. He's got great short speed and lateral agility to close space down or create space for himself.
"He's pretty skilled and he clearly plays pretty close to the ground ... he's an exciting young prospect with a great attitude.
"He's a really professional young man and he's not going to die wondering."
Collingwood selected Brown under the father-son rule with the 35th overall pick at last year's national draft.
