It’s fitting that tomorrow night at Patersons Stadium, on the eve of Father’s Day, Tom Sheridan will finally realise a dream that has been on hold in his family for 35 years.

In 1977, Tom’s dad Bryan was a promising teenager trying to break into Essendon’s VFL side via the reserves.

But on a fateful Brownlow Medal night that year, his dream was cruelly shattered when he was a passenger in a car that crashed into a light pole.

Bryan Sheridan’s injuries meant he had to give up footy or risk being crippled later in life.

“He wasn’t able to pursue his dream of playing footy and he never played a senior game,” Tom said.

“It’s always been in the back of my head.”

After finding out he’d be running out with Fremantle to play Melbourne on Saturday, the first person Tom called was his dad.

“He’s pretty proud that I’m going to achieve that this weekend,” Tom said.

Tom said Bryan usually called him every Thursday to find out if he would be playing.

“He’s always ringing to say what’s going on. This week it was all good news,” he said.

Freo’s top pick from last year’s National Draft said he was excited at the prospect of a debut in front of the home fans.

“I live with Hayden Crozier and I’ve seen him go through the same as I’m going through now,” he said.

“It’s amazing news. It gets you so pumped. It’s a bit like draft day, you get the same special feeling.

“I just can’t wait to get out there.”

And Sheridan doesn’t accept that he’ll be one and done in 2012.

“I’ll give it my best shot,” he said.

“It’s all about effort and playing to structures and doing all the team things.

“I’ll do that and do it to the best of my ability and, hopefully, I can stay in the team and play in a final because that would be amazing.”