‘Flicked the switch’: Key tweaks behind father-son Blue’s shock surge… and why tricky bid beckons

It’s not often an AFL draft hopeful enhances their prospects and reputation while sidelined with a nasty injury.

But that has been gun Blues father-son prospect Harry Dean’s experience.

For a significant increase in the versatile key defender’s off-field professionalism led to one of the most impressive on-field campaigns by any 2025 AFL draftee – and, consequently, a tricky picks and points scenario for Carlton.

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After his 2022 and 2023 seasons were hampered by growing pains – he missed the Under 16 national champs two years ago – Dean’s 17th year barely got going, suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in his Coates Talent League debut match against the Giants.

It means, from an AFL club and scouting perspective, it was difficult to rate where Dean truly sat in the 2025 draft pool.

So, he got rock-hard fit.

“I kind of flicked the switch, especially when I broke my shoulder last year. About three months after, it was like: ‘I’ve still got time and ways to change,’” he told foxfooty.com.au.

“I put in a lot of rehab, strength, gym, endurance … The aim was to get a bit fitter and faster while I had my shoulder injury and couldn’t do any contact. I did a lot of running and sprinting.

“I put on a bit of muscle. I put on about four kilos, which I was happy with – legs and arms. Still building on that a fair bit.

“I just thought I needed to get in a pretty good pre-season and start the season off well.”

This shift in attitude sparked more crucial changes regarding Dean’s recovery, eating and sleep habits.

He made the most of the sauna and ice bath at his local club, Lavington.

He’d “always try and train at Murray Bushrangers” to bank as many sessions as possible – “even if I was a bit sore because … the more sessions you get in, the better for me”.

Dean and his mum also invested in recovery boots. On the long drives to and from his home, as well as after training and on days off, Dean would wear them. He’d also go for a walk or do some mobility in the pool to “get the legs ticking and blood flowing”.

And then there was his diet.

“Heaps changed. Me and mum got a program from Carlton, which was pretty helpful, and some meal plans,” he said.

“We broke those down into some easier things to make, so I’ve been pretty consistent with that, eating healthier food to benefit and fuel me.”

Dean’s favourite dish? A sweet potato burrito bowl.

“I almost had it for dinner for three weeks in a row, it was that good!” he said with a smile.

After his first practice game with the Bushrangers earlier this year, Dean spoke with his coaches and parents. The advice was to “play as many games as you can, enjoy yourself and things will roll over and happen”.

And haven’t things rolled and happened.

‘THIS IS THE REAL DEAL’

A fitter and faster Dean produced a full, injury-free season that saw him rise up draft boards with an almighty surge. He impressed recruiters all season with his power, toughness, competitiveness and intercept ability.

Dean averaged 17.4 disposals and seven marks for the Murray Bushrangers to win Coates Talent League team of the year honours.

But it was at the national carnival representing Vic Country where Dean truly thrived.

Dean, initially, was hoping to “play a game or two” for his state. He ended up playing all four and earning selection at full-back in the Under 18 All-Australian side after averaging 15.3 disposals and a competition-high 3.5 intercept marks, while he went at 89 per cent efficiency by foot.

“I had trials for Vic Country in Under 16s and U17s but didn’t really get a shot at it because of the injuries. This year, I was pretty honoured to be able to wear the Big V,” he said.

“From the first day at presentation, getting my guernsey and being named vice-captain – I was pretty surprised about that … The first game I was a bit nervous, first time playing for Vic Country I was thinking: ‘This is the real deal.’ But I warmed into the game and went from there and just felt comfortable.

“Just the standard of footy … ‘Bushies’ and Coates League is great but playing with and against all the best kids was great.”

Showing off his versatility, Dean played on a variety of forwards, including mobile duo Charlie Banfield (190cm) and Mitch Marsh (191cm), the powerful Max King (191cm) and tall Vic Metro duo Zac McCarthy (199cm) and Cooper Duff-Tytler (200cm).

“It was mixed around a fair bit this year, but I like the challenge. It helps me and it helps recruiters see I can play on different players,” he said.

Dean pulled off a stunning 22-disposal, 11-intercept, eight-mark display in the final game of the carnival against Vic Metro, solidifying his status as a top-10 prospect.

Post-game, one scout told foxfooty.com.au they could see Dean playing for Carlton in Round 1 next year. He looked like a man against boys, playing with a presence and confidence that personified his rise.

“Leading up to all the Vic Country games, I try to tell myself to get a hot start – and then that just leads throughout the whole day,” Dean said.

“Leading up to that game (against Metro), we’d gotten better and better as a team and as a unit. This was Queensland versus NSW State of Origin style … so I had a bit more ticker to myself. I was trying to have a really good game and show my skill, because it was the last game as well.

“I came out and felt good most of the day, especially the first quarter. I was really happy with that game, one of my best games of the year.”

HOW DEAN BID COULD WORK

A lack of key defensive depth in this year’s pool, combined with Dean’s outstanding draft season, has made him an even hotter commodity for clubs.

It’s why West Coast is considering placing a bid on Dean with Pick 2, for he would truly fit an Eagles list need.

Carlton, as it stands, holds Picks 9 and 11, which is worth 2560, according to the AFL’s new Draft Value Index (DVI). An Eagles bid on Dean at Pick 2 – with a 10 per cent discount – would require the Blues to cough up 2233 points. If they matched, Carlton would officially welcome Dean to the club, but Picks 9 and 11 would essentially turn into a selection in the 30s. And that wouldn’t help their case to match a later bid on NGA prospect Jack Ison.

It’s why the Blues would prefer if Richmond, for instance, bid on Dean at Pick 5 or 6 following bids on the likes of Zeke Uwland, Dylan Patterson and/or Daniel Annable. If it came at Pick 6, the Blues would only have to produce 1493 points to match, meaning Picks 9 and 11 would instead become one selection in the teens (around Pick 13).

Don’t worry, Carlton fans, the Blues will match any Dean bid. But it just means Carlton’s list representatives will be best friends with their calculators over the coming weeks.

Dean is tied to the Blues via the father-son rule as his dad, Peter Dean, played 248 games for Carlton, including the 1987 and 1995 premierships.

Dean over recent years has spent ample time at Ikon Park – especially last year while sidelined with a shoulder injury – through the club’s father-son academy, which was initially named in honour of Peter Dean upon its launch back in 2015.

“He obviously had a pretty great career and made the father-son academy (at Carlton), so I was pretty lucky,” Harry said of his dad.

“I’m pretty grateful to be in that academy with the resources and people I can tap into. It’s been a huge influence for me.”

“Especially this year, I’ve abused it a heap! Obviously with school and travelling, it was a bit hard to get down. But in the holidays, I was able to get down and do a few pre-season sessions with them and get a feel for what my pre-season might look like and the standard and the recovery after and the gym work.

“In-season, I spent a week with them. They had a Sunday game backing up to a Friday game, so I saw how they prepared and got treated. An AFL game on a five-day break had taken a bit out of them, so it was just unreal to see.

“It didn’t feel right being in the system as well. Every time I go in there I just think: ‘This is the real deal, these blokes play on the TV – and I support them.’ Hopefully I can play with them soon.”

CARLTON ‘WOULD BE PRETTY SPECIAL’

Dean, diplomatically, said he’d “play for anyone” and just be happy “to be in the system anywhere”.

But he added: “To wear the navy blue would be pretty special.”

Dean grew up idolising Carlton defender Jacob Weitering, who was taken at Pick 1 a decade ago.

Come Round 1 next season, there’s a good chance Dean walks into the Blues’ defensive 50 next to Weitering.

“During the game against Vic Metro, I thought a bit that I could step up to the next level (AFL) and overall through the nationals. Probably playing locally too playing senior men’s footy, it’s got me a bit more comfortable and used to the bigger bodies,” he said.

“Obviously it’s going to be a grind, nothing’s ever easy, but I’m willing to take on the challenge and I love a bit of a challenge. It’s going to be hard to work, but I’m ready.”