One hundred years ago, almost to the day, Will Hoskin-Elliott's great-grandfather, Charlie Norris, played for Fitzroy against Carlton at Melbourne's Princes Park. It was April 24, 1915, and the season-opening VFL match finished in a 41-41 draw.
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Hoskin-Elliott, 21, knew nothing of this family history until just a few months ago when the Greater Western Sydney Giants player reunited with ancestors near Newcastle.
He is the only current AFL player who had a direct relative playing in the VFL in 1915, a year more reflective of World War I than footy.
As more young men went to battle, the VFL reduced from nine teams in 1915, to just four in 1916.
Norris was part of Fitzroy's 1916 premiership-winning team. He won three in total, including a flag with Collingwood in 1910 and his first title with Fitzroy in 1913.
He played 124 games in nine seasons from 1910 to 1918 despite not making his VFL debut until the age of 28.
So as Australia stops to remember the 100th anniversary of the battle of Gallipoli, Hoskin-Elliott now has a better idea of his family's heritage, too.
"It was pretty crazy, to hold a 1916 premiership medal," Hoskin-Elliott said of meeting his ancestors and seeing the memorabilia.
The former No.4 draft pick in 2011 made his return in the NEAFL last weekend, kicking five goals. He will play NEAFL in Canberra again on Saturday.
Hoskin-Elliott had a breakout AFL season last year, playing 20 of his 39 career games. Off-contract at the end of the season, Hoskin-Elliott said his preference was to remain at the Giants.
"It's just a waiting game at the moment," he said. "Just got injured at the worst time, I want to play some footy and get some form up before I think about that [re-signing]."
