Jacob Weitering doesn't feel the least bit slighted by AFL legend James Hird's assertion that protege Harry Dean will one day become a better player than his on-field mentor.
"My wife showed me the quote ... and I couldn't agree more," Carlton vice-captain and All-Australian defender Weitering said.
"He's halfway there already and it's only his first year."
Dean has taken the AFL by storm in his debut season, starring alongside Weitering at the heart of the Blues' defence on a rollercoaster ride through 2026.
The 18-year-old's calm and assured performances belie his tender age and have been crucial in propelling the Josh Fraser-led side into an elimination final, against Geelong at the MCG on Friday night.
"He's been one of the biggest contributors to it ... he's a pretty special kid," Weitering said.
"He's got that grit and determination, and competitiveness and clearly he's become a bit of a cult figure.
"Not only is he intercepting and spoiling and doing his job, but the boys absolutely love him as a teammate and as a person.
"I'm pretty fortunate to, hopefully, play out the rest of my career alongside him."
A father-son selection at No.3 in last year's national draft, Dean, the son of two-time premiership hero Peter Dean, has quickly endeared himself to Carlton fans, teammates and coaches alike.
The tough defender celebrates spoils like they're goals and has performed to a level that has teammates suggesting he looks like someone who has played 150 games.
Dean has also been described as "weird" by those closest to him in the locker room.
"He's one of the stranger teammates you'll come across. Some of the (reasons) you probably can't say," Weitering said.
"But he's just the ultimate competitor on and off the field, if that gives you a bit of an insight.
"You've seen it out on the field with how the fans react to him, but internally he's incredibly valuable both as a person and as a teammate."
Dean accepts praise from teammates with humility and can't help but laugh when quizzed on their feedback about his quirky personality.
"On the field I'm pretty serious and straightforward, but off the field I like to have fun and a bit of a laugh," Dean said.
"I'm a bit different, but I like to have a smile."
What does that entail for a young man in his first year out of home, who lives with fellow teenager Talor Byrne and their inexperienced Blues teammates Flynn Young, Billy Wilson?
"A few gags ... I actually tried to tin-foil Flynn Young's room on the weekend and it didn't go too well. He got a bit mad, but it's just a bit of banter," Dean said.
"You see (your housemates) every day, you go to training ... so to get away from football and have a laugh and get my mind off football helps a lot."
Despite a 10-year age gap, Dean and senior figure Weitering have formed a strong bond in the Blues' back-line and stand out as one of the most capable tall defensive pairings in this year's finals series.
"I still find it a bit funny that some blokes have got kids and I've just got drafted," Dean said
"We're totally different people, but it just seems to work on the field and at the club.
"I don't think he'd want to hang out with me outside of the club, but he's been really good for me."
Peter Dean was nearing the end of his 248-game career when he starred in Carlton's most recent premiership, in 1995, and famously fell off the podium when celebrating after collecting his medal.
Now, with Harry Dean and co firing at the business end of a season in which Carlton started 1-8 and sacked Michael Voss as coach, a first Blues flag in more than three decades is on the agenda.
"I didn't really expect this in my first season. I didn't know what was going to happen, but to play finals is a dream come true," Dean said.
"The first half of the season obviously wasn't too great, but I think we've stuck together and learnt from that. We've had a pretty good run."
