Dylan Buckley is one step closer to realising his dream of playing for the Blues, after the Carlton Football Club selected the young footballer at the bidding meeting for players nominated under the father/son rule at Etihad Stadium today.
 
Carlton is now bound to select Dylan at the 2011 NAB AFL Draft with its last available selection, to be determined once the club has finalised its selection numbers for this year’s Draft.
 
The only son of Carlton’s triple premiership player Jim Buckley, the 18 year old will join the Blues in season 2012 from the Northern Knights.
 
“Dylan is a quick midfielder with excellent disposal skills,” Carlton’s National Recruiting Manager, Wayne Hughes said.
 
“We have watched him for a number of years and are optimistic that in time he will mature as a footballer and make an impact in our midfield.”
 
Hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps, Dylan said it would be a huge honour to play for Carlton.
 
“Everyone down at the club has shown me enormous support and I am looking forward to repaying the faith they have shown in me,” he said.
 
“I am grateful to have the opportunity, I know now this is where the hard work starts but I am just really looking forward to getting down there as soon as possible and getting stuck into my first pre-season.”
 
 Jim Buckley debuted for Carlton in 1976 at 16 years of age, going on to win three premierships with the Blues in 1979, 1981 and 1982.
 
He was also awarded the club’s Best and Fairest award in 1982 and was inducted into the Carlton Hall of Fame in 2000.
 
The last player taken by Carlton in the father/son rule was Luke Blackwell in the 2004 NAB AFL Draft.