Bailey Rice will finally fulfil his aspirations to play senior football when he dons the red, white and black his father Dean wore nearly 25 years ago.

Taken under the father-son rule at pick No. 49 at the 2015 National Draft, Rice has been forced to wait patiently and ply his trade at VFL level.

2018 has seen the solidly-built 21-year-old take his game to a new level, and two consecutive best-on-ground performances for the Zebras has earned him his long-awaited spot in the senior side.

VFL: Rice outstanding

His father, Dean Rice, played 116 games on the wing for the Saints from 1987-1993 before moving to Carlton, where he won a premiership and played as a defender until 2001.

Alan Richardson praised the young defender’s resilience and work ethic, encouraging Rice to draw confidence from Ed Phillips’ strong debut in Perth following good VFL form.

“You’ve been really strong now for a good period of time, and from our perspective, you’re ready to go,” the senior coach said.

Richardson also commended Rice on his preparation and commitment to training, imploring the young defender to bring his trademark aggression at the contest into Saturday night’s pivotal home clash.

“I reckon your teammates would be really pleased that you’re in for many reasons,” the senior coach said.

“The main reason would be because of how tough you are, and how consistent you are in the contest. You very rarely get beaten, and you stay composed.”

Match Day Information: Round 9

A former teammate of his father at Carlton, Sandringham Head Coach Aaron Hamill has also been impressed with Rice’s form for the Zebras in 2018.

“Bailey shows really good defensive nous – when to support his teammates and when to defend his man – and his ball use and decision-making has been excellent,” Hamill told saints.com.au.

Get your Halo On for 2018

Rice becomes the 1593^rd player to represent St Kilda at senior level and is also the first father-son selection to play senior football since Chad Davis in 2002.