After almost 40 years, Carlton centre half-back Jarrad Waite is set to emulate his late father’s feat by donning the Big V for Saturday night’s match against the Dream Team on the MCG.

On that very ground in June 1971, Vin Waite represented Victoria in his one and only state appearance. It came against South Australia, where the then 22 year-old lined up in his customary back pocket alongside Geelong’s John Scarlett, the father of Matthew, who will also take his place in the Victorian team this weekend.

Also representing Victoria against the Croweaters that day was Marc Murphy’s father John, Carlton triple premiership player Robert Walls, and future Carlton players Peter McKenna and Kevin Heath. Ian Stewart and Denis Pagan, both destined to coach Carlton, were also members of that coveted Big V squad.

Victoria accounted for South Australia by 30 points back then, and Waite senior had to back up against Collingwood at Waverley some 48 hours later.

Waite junior, at 25, isn’t burdened with the same pressing club commitment, and, like fellow Carlton reps Chris Judd and Brendan Fevola, is genuinely looking forward to the impending contest.

"It's a massive honour . . . on a personal note, it's amazing (and) I'm looking forward to it," Waite said.

"I was at my sister's house when I found out. She had Dad's old jumper and she got it out. He (Vin) never spoke about it too much. I just knew he had (represented Victoria). It's good for the family and good for the footy club as well."

All three Carlton players have availed themselves for selection with the good wishes of Senior Coach Brett Ratten, who also represented his state on the field with the blessing of the then Coach David Parkin.

As Ratten himself declared this week: “I played for Victoria and I loved it. Every player should be entitled to represent their state alongside the best players in Australia”.