FOOTY fans in Myrtleford seized the opportunity to see the Melbourne Demons in action as they trained at McNamara Recreation Reserve Oval last Thursday morning.
Dozens of lucky schoolchildren were treated to a morning off from school, either driven to the oval by their relatives or walked as a group from campus with teachers, in order to ask their favourite Dees players for an autograph or have a quick chat before training.
"It's awesome to see the Dees use our ground," said Goldie Cartwright.
"Watching them train will be a bit different than usual.
"Hopefully we'll get some autographs."
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The children lined up to speak to players outside the clubrooms and wished them a fun time out on the oval.
After the players warmed up, Melbourne's Daniel Turner led the team and said a 'thank-you' to the senior coach for organising the ground and having it in 'brilliant condition'.
All players then gathered on the sidelines for a group photo with the local schoolkids and fans present before the morning's training session began.
"We're very impressed with the quality of the ground," said Alan Richardson, Melbourne's general manager of football.
"Last night when the heavens opened up, we were thinking we weren't going to be able to get to train, but the community's done a great job to make sure it's ready, so we're incredibly grateful.
"We started out in Mansfield on Monday and Tuesday, gathering the players together for community engagements; visiting schools and hospitals, etc.
"The players were talking to students about the importance of diet and commitment to, in their case schoolwork and, for us footy training.
"Reiterating the message that if you want to get somewhere or achieve something, that you've got to make sure you do the work.
"Today is our main footy practice and training session for the week, then the rest of the camp is very much about reconnecting as a group.
"This is the first time we've had the group back together this year, as the full squad started back on Monday, including the young blokes we got in the draft.
"The guys will get the afternoon off to spend some time in and around both Myrtleford and Bright; just some free time, which is great.
"Jake Lever's always holidayed at Bright; he was the one who recommended this region, so that's the reason that we're here and it's been brilliant!
"Tomorrow, our high-performance coach Selwyn Griffiths has organised a team-work challenge with the help of Matt Murphy from Project Bright which includes mountains and physical activity.
"We've already done a weight session with him, but he's designed this activity for us tomorrow.
"They're probably going to struggle to get through it unless they help each other.
"That's important for us; we're going to give them the opportunity to test themselves and to challenge themselves while helping each other.
"That should be good fun and then we head off tomorrow afternoon back to Melbourne."
The Demons' recent trip is the start of preparing for next year's season.
Late in December, the players will have three weeks off over the festive season and keep up their individual training, before they regroup in early January.
"As soon as we get back, it's a pretty intense six or seven weeks leading in to when we play against opposition in March," Mr Richardson said.
"So they've got to be in good shape when they get back in January and they always are; they're a great group of lads.
"In terms of what 's new for us; Nathan Jones, a former hero of the club, has started his coaching career.
"He will be the assistant coach, focusing on our mid-field...he's out here today.
"This is going to be great for our club, he's started really well, he's a really great addition.
"Also, Nathan Basset's joined us after a year off from coaching last year.
"He'd previously been at the Port Adelaide footy club and prior to that he had a really successful coaching career at the Norwood footy club.
"It's great to have him on board."
