The race for Rice

[Gershwin]

From afl.com

"ALMOST seven years ago, a letter arrived at the home of Bailey Rice inviting him to spend a day at Carlton as a part of its program for father-son prospects.

He went, met then-coach Brett Ratten, heard from captain Chris Judd and wondered what it would be like to stay there for longer and follow his dad Dean as an AFL player.

"That's when I started to realise what it all meant being a father-son, but I still didn't know much about it and how it worked," Rice said.

Rice, who is aiming to be picked at this year's NAB AFL Draft, had a bit to wrap his head around. Not only is he a father-son prospect, the speedy half-back is a rare case in that he has two clubs he is eligible to join under the rule: St Kilda and Carlton.

Dean played 116 games for the Saints before finishing his career with the Blues in 118 games, including the 1995 premiership win.

Bailey is a lifelong Carlton fan, but a year or two after that initial meeting with the Blues, St Kilda invited him to one of its meetings of future father-son prospects. Earlier this year he spent a week training with the Saints, and soon will begin to go to the club one morning a week to see how it runs.

Although the Saints have shown more interest to this point, the 18-year-old knows he still needs to prove he is good enough before he gets to choose where he ends up.

"I try not to think about it too much. I try to play footy and do the best I can, do everything right and block it out for now," Rice said.

"Dad has spoken a little bit about his career but he keeps to himself, unless I ask him. He's told me to play footy the best you can, enjoy it, to use your strengths and try not to worry about other things.

For Rice, the season can't come soon enough. He started his summer with an average beep test and it jolted him into action, enjoying a strong pre-season to get ready for a role in the midfield and back line this year.

The Vic Country squad member is quick, can kick on both feet and marks well, and has even booted a bag of 10 goals at school level. He's ready for what the year holds.
"I'm a bit nervous and excited, but I'm looking forward to it."

[saintspremiers]

Does anyone know why Bubbles left us for Carlscum?

[kosifantutti]

I think we got rid of him because of concerns about his knee.

[Waltzing St Kilda]

I think we got rid of him because of concerns about his knee.

Yep. A silly move, as it turned out, though around the same time we managed the famous Devonport-Hall deal.

[suss]

His knee turned out to be as crook as Shane Wakelin's ankle ...

[magnifisaint]

Is he special fried rice?

[Junior]

My recollection was that there was also contract issues surrounding money. From memory Dean was managed by his brother Steve who always drove a hard deal.

St Kilda were concerned about his recovery from his knee injury, as well as the monetary situation.

Was gutted when we let him go as I thought he was a gun.

Would. E disappointed if Bailey ends up having yo make a choice and picks Carlton after we appear to be putting in the work with him.

[Dave McNamara]

Would. E disappointed if Bailey ends up having yo make a choice and picks Carlton after we appear to be putting in the work with him.

Objectively...

Bailey would be mad to chose that brown paper-bag rabble over us.

They still haven't twigged. We now have the draft(s).

One can no longer just go out and use the proceeds from the Carlton Crew laundering their ill-gotten to buy a premiership.

[barneyboyz]

I think Dean had several reco's??? He was a gun footballer as his son will be. I Wasn't surprised that we moved him on as we couldn't afford to keep such an injured player at the time. I Was surprised that Carlscum picked him though and it's a real credit to him that he ended up having the career he had, every game would have been a worry for him

[magnifisaint]

Is it the race for Rice or the Rice for race?

[Sainternist]

Does anyone know why Bubbles left us for Carlscum?

Too injury prone. He needed a new lease of life at the time. It was sad to see him leave.

[Bowey Boy]

Crap decision to get rid of him. Did a knee soon after arriving at Carlton but they kept him on and think he played in the 1995 Flag Side. Realistically why would he come to us? Still remember the first round of 1991 against Tiges at the Park where he kicked a stack of goals. One of the most gutsy players I have seen and given no reward by the Saints.

[Megamaguire]

I always liked Bailey's dad Dean as an important player for the Saints.
I was very disappointed that he was let go at the time. I wasn't that aware of the injury issues but glad for him that he clocked up another 100+ games @ carlton with a premiership thrown in.
A likable guy so happy his career continued until he passed the 200 games mark.
Hopefully Bailey keeps improving and gets picked by a club he would like to be at in the Draft next Nov.

I like the idea of another player from the Rice family getting a start @ St.kilda.

G O S A I N T S!

[saintbrat]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/d ... h9987.html

[kosifantutti]

The timing is good. Who would want to go to Carlton?

[Con Gorozidis]

His old man was a very good player. A long long way above average.

[Harves Man]

Dean Rice was an exciting player to watch, as he stormed down the field. Very dangerous in front of goal too. Was very sad when he left for that lot.

In the early days, when he was on the other side of the oval, I used to get him confused with "Scratcher Neal" - it was a long way away, though!

[longtimesaint]

We made a few of those regrettable decisions in the past.
Ones that come to mind are Russell Greene and Joel Smith.
Let's hope we don't regret Rhys Stanley but I guess by getting McKenzie we seem to be on the right side.

[stjay]

Can't see him picking us especially as he is a Carlton supporter.
The chance to play for the team you barracked for as a kid...are you kidding me? Who wouldn't jump at that?
He won't care what state they're in at present.

Questions are: Where is Carlton on their father-son dilemma for the draft? And how are the others tracking form-wise relative to Bailey?
We know they can't take all of them but my impression is Bailey is in front of both Silvagni and Bradley. Forget that their dad's were champions of the club, Carlton will take the best talent available which probably means we will miss out.

Shafted again me thinks.
We get the greatest goal kicker in Australian rules history and he has 4 daughters!

[Griggsy]

Ignoring father/son, what's his true value? Top 10? First, second round?

[stjay]

Stock's on the rise. Talent pool this year supposedly shallow so 2nd round best guess.

[magnifisaint]

If he follows Carlton he'll probably go there. I'm sure their season will improve once Malthouse leaves and he'll be tempted to go there as they are a bigger club with a lot more success.

[kosifantutti]

If he follows Carlton he'll probably go there. I'm sure their season will improve once Malthouse leaves and he'll be tempted to go there as they are a bigger club with a lot more success.

He's about 17 years old. How much of that Carlton success has he seen?

[St Ick]

I watched him on the weekend and he did nothing to suggest he would go any high than a third, even in a shallow draft. If a club bids on him, or if Carlton take him higher than that I wouldn't necccessarily be shattered.

We need another half back flanker like a hole in the head, and he certainly didn't dominate and become a must have. If he shows something in the coming weeks, I might change my tune but at the moment - he definitely didn't play like a first or second rounder.

[sasaint]

U18 Champs; Country vs Metro

BEST
Vic Metro: Balic, Crocker, Collins, O'Kearney, Parsons, Gresham
Vic Country: Ainsworth, Weitering, Mennen, Mathieson, Rice, Schache