Carlton has ensured the Buckley name lives on at Visy Park after registering Dylan Buckley, son of triple premiership player Jim, as a future father/son draft selection.
Seventeen-year-old Buckley captained the Victoria Metro Under-16 team last year and his efforts were recognised by the Blues on Tuesday, when they committed to selecting him in the 2011 National Draft.
The registration was a particularly good birthday present for Buckley but the move appears a cautionary one by Carlton as the Blues look to protect their talent pool from the incoming Greater Western Sydney franchise.
This is because the GWS team, which will debut in 2012, has access to 12 17-year-olds born between April and January 1993 as part of the club's National Rookie Access Draft concessions from the end of the 2010 season.
"It is a real bonus to know that such an outstanding young player will be available to be recruited to Carlton at the end of 2011," said Blues' football operations manager Steven Icke.
"It is great that a famous Carlton name will continue at the Carlton Football Club,"
"We are pleased that Dylan and his family have made this commitment (and) Dylan is now able to concentrate on his schooling and his junior football with the knowledge that his football future is in place."
Buckley said he was thrilled to be in this position, saying the opportunity to play for his father's side was certainly something to work hard towards.
"This does provide me with some certainty about my footballing future but I know there is plenty of work to be done," the younger Buckley said.
"Thankfully I will be able to tap into the resources of the Carlton Football Club to assist my development over the next two years."
Jim Buckley senior was actually younger than what his son is now when he debuted for Carlton at 16 years, six months and 18 days in 1976.
He went on to represent the Blues in 164 senior matches, and was a member of the 1979, 1981 and 1982 premiership teams.
In 2000 Jim Buckley was inducted into the Carlton Hall of Fame.
"It is fantastic to think that Dylan has a real opportunity to be a part of the Carlton football club and extend the family involvement with the Blues," said Jim Buckley.
"He is well aware that there is a lot of work to be done but everyone in the family will be supporting him to ensure he makes the most of this wonderful opportunity."
In a big day for the Blues' list management department, the club has also gained approval from the AFL to elevate rookie Jeffrey Garlett to its senior list.