Tom McGuane, son of Collingwood great Mick, links up with Adelaide for train-on spot

AFL hopeful Tom McGuane has received a third chance to follow in his premiership-winning father Mick’s footsteps after being overlooked at the draft.

The 18-year-old was eligible to be picked up by Collingwood as a father-son product but the Pies opted against making a commitment.

The midfielder’s hopes took another hit when every team let him slide in the national and rookie drafts.

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But Adelaide have now sensed an opportunity, inviting McGuane to train with the potential to join the list as a pre-season supplemental selection.

The left-footer, who represented Vic Metro in the national championships, and his family were “blindsided” by the timing of the Magpies’ decision not to pick the teenager.

Collingwood informed Tom and Mick, a 1990 premiership player and Pies Hall of Famer, of their decision the day before he was due to attend an academy training session at the club.

Mick McGuane presented son Tom with his first Collingwood VFL jumper this year. Credit: Collingwood

“I’ve been around footy long enough to know that different people have different perspectives on players, so I accepted my old club’s decision as hard as it was to hear,” Mick wrote.

“But my son was inconsolable for hours after receiving the news.

“Since the age of 14 when he really knuckled down, he had done so much work and sacrificed so much in pursuit of his dream to play in the AFL.

“A love for the black and white stripes was clearly in his veins and he showed it when he attended Collingwood games live or watched them on television at home.”

Mick urged his son to turn up to the academy session with a smile on his face and his head down to keep up his AFL dream.

McGuane, who played three VFL games for the Pies this year, will now hope to impress Crows bosses over the summer.

Southport star Zac Foot could also reportedly earn a train-on chance at Adelaide after making the VFL team of the year this season.

Across town, Port Adelaide have tapped into experience and untapped potential with Jaidyn Stephenson in a battle for a spot on their list.

The former Rising Star winner retired from the AFL at the end of 2023 but is back in the mix after a year playing local footy.

“He’s been great so far with the guys,” Power captain Connor Rozee said of the former Collingwood and North Melbourne player.

“He’s a great personality and he’s made it pretty clear that he’s willing to come in and work hard and earn the respect of everyone.

“Maybe getting away from Melbourne is an opportunity for him, definitely. He’s got a couple of weeks or months or so to really prove himself.”

Norwood’s Balyn O’Brien and East Fremantle forward Mitchell Zadow are also training with Port in the hope of getting on the AFL list.