http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/ ... 42,00.html
Bomber does Dad proud
14 December 2006 Herald-Sun
Michael Stevens
WILLIE Dick says he always regretted leaving Essendon for family reasons after only one season and seven games in 1992.
Now that regret has been eased by his 20-year-old son Dean being chosen by the Bombers in the AFL's rookie draft.
"I think it's fantastic for him to get picked up by Essendon, I didn't think it would happen, not the way the draft is these days," Willie said from Perth yesterday.
"
I know what sort of club they are and how well they look after you, (
what was that you said Ty?) so that was one reason I was hoping he would get there.
"I only had the year at Essendon . . . mainly for family reasons I came back . . . and for Dean to go to Essendon eases the regret I had leaving."
Willie's contemporaries at the Bombers in 1992 included fellow indigenous players Michael Long, Derek Kickett and Gavin Wanganeen.
Young guns James Hird, Joe Misiti and Mark Mercuri were starting their careers.
Originally from Goomalling (150km northeast of Perth), Willie was a lightly framed wingman at 179cm and 82kg,
but his son Dean is a strapping 190cm and 86kg and still growing.
"He's a bit of a throwback somewhere along the line because his mother (Delys) is short as well," he said.
Dean started the 2006 season with the Perth Colts but played the last three games in the seniors.
His father said Dean was well suited to the modern style of football because of his agility.
"For his height, he's pretty agile and he's got a pretty good kick, both sides," Willie said.
"And he's also got a good mark, but I think being agile is what's required for this day and age of football."
Dean is expected to join the Bombers for pre-season training after the Christmas break.
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