YOUNG forward Sam Weideman says he felt some pressure carrying his famous football name this year, but added that he’s determined to make his own name.

The grandson of Collingwood great Murray and son of former Magpie Mark, Weideman said he was proud to follow in his family’s footsteps when he made his AFL debut for Melbourne against Hawthorn at the MCG in round 20 this year.

“There is a little bit of pressure. Once you get into the club, it doesn’t matter what pick you go in terms of the draft,” he told Melbourne TV.

“That doesn’t really play a factor now and everyone is fighting for a spot.

“Everyone wants to improve and have team success, so I don’t think the draft pick number matters.

“In terms of the name Weideman, Grandpa and my father did some good things at Collingwood and had some great success there … but I want to create my own path and try and play my own footy.

“I don’t want the name to put any added pressure on. I just want to do the best for the team and improve going forward.”

Weideman said his first match, when Melbourne defeated Hawthorn for the first time in 10 years, was the perfect possible start to a career. 

“It was a pretty special feeling playing on the ‘G and beating the Hawks was unreal.”

“I’m really happy with that and how I started my career, especially my first kick being a goal, which was an unreal feeling.

“To get that one out of the way pretty quickly was really nice.”