Hawthorn premiership player Rick Ladson returned from injury to play his 100th game for the Hawks in Perth last weekend.
The reliable defender left no stone unturned as he encouraged all family members to cross the Nullabor for his milestone match against the West Coast Eagles.
There was no keener family member to make the trek than three- year-old nephew Bailey Tyrrell.
Number 16 in the 2001 AFL draft, Ladson made his debut in Round six of the 2003 season when Hawthorn played Carlton.
That year he notched up six games in the seniors and then rapidly became an integral part of the Hawthorn defence which eventually led to the 2008 AFL premiership.
On Saturday night at Subiaco Oval in Perth Ladson led little Bailey through the giant Hawthorn cheer squad banner to the roar of the many Hawks fans in the west.
The Golden Square youngster also took part in the warm up exercises with the players before the game as part of his journey of a lifetime which he has shared many times over this week with members of his play school group.
