If not for Group 7 cancelling the whole of round four, Blattner would have made his first grade debut alongside his father Mick Blattner.

This is believed to be the first instance that a father and son have played on the same first grade team in Group 7 history.

“It has always been a dream of mine to play footy with my sons,” Mr Blattner said.

“It sort of became a reality last year when Zac was playing in the under 18s.”

Dreams turned into fruition when Zac was named at five-eighth, alongside his 41-year-old father to take on Kiama.

“Zac played a strong game for the under 18s against league leaders Port Kembla last week,” Blattner said.

“After the match, captain/coach of first grade Ben Wellington said we need him.”

“I stayed out of it, but thought if he’s playing well enough, I’d love to have him.”

Blattner senior coincidentally made his first grade debut at the same age, way back in 1990.

“Funnily enough I made my debut at 16-years-of-age for the Leichardt Wanderers in SG Ball,” he said.

“I then played three-years in A grade for Bondi United, before starting down here in 1994.”

Mick has played more than 400 first grade games during his 26-year career.

“Since making my debut, I have played for many clubs including Nowra, Bomaderry, Berry, Shellharbour and now the Jets.

“I went back to Bondi back in 2007 in what I thought was going to be my last year.

“But I was feeling good and backed up in to 2008 and was lucky enough to win the competition with Milton Ulladulla.

“Since then I’ve asked myself a couple of times when I’m going to hang up the boots.

“But I held on to potentially have the opportunity to play with both Zac and his younger brother Kealen (15).

“Ideally, I’d like to play for another three or four years.

“That doesn’t necessarily have to be in first grade.

“I’ll stop when I feel I’m not playing well enough to merit my position, be it in first of reserve grade.

“I’ve been lucky throughout my career to only miss three games through concussion and another handful through suspension, so I hope that continues.”

The significance of the achievement hasn’t been lost on Zac Blattner either, who is also playing first grade cricket for Bomaderry.

“I didn’t expect to be playing first grade football at this age, that’s for sure,” Zac said.

“Last year I wasn’t playing very much football and was sort of over it and concentrating on my cricket.

“But this year I have got the spark back to play footy, which has seen me put my mind back on the job.”

Blattner admits its going to be special playing for the reigning Group 7 champions, who he watched during their fairy tale run last season.

“It’s a special team, who I’ve been watching for numerous years,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to the test of stepping up, whenever that may be.

“Not many people can say they play first grade footy with their old man.

“We have played together and as rivals in cricket a couple of times before, but this will be different.

“It’s going to be an amazing experience, because I know how much it means to dad for me to be running onto the field with him.

“He has coached me for many years and has been one of the biggest influences of my career to date."

If not named this week to play, Blattner junior is expected to make his first grade debut sooner rather than later.