Thousands of students across the Sydney region rubbed shoulders with footballers on Tuesday as part of the Sydney Swans’ annual School Blitz.
On the back of their pre-season training camp in Coffs Harbour and two-day AFL Community Camps, which took players all across metropolitan and country NSW, the Swans again ventured into the community to visit schools and host clinics.
At Kirribilli, students from St Aloysius enjoyed a session with Josh Kennedy, Jeremy Laidler and Dan Robinson.
The students, some of whom were members of local Australian Rules clubs, were excited to learn skills and techniques from the players, as well as hear about what life as an AFL player is really like.
Robinson, who grew up in Mosman and who has friends who went to St Aloysius, enjoyed taking time away from the busy training schedule to see how much the game has grown across Sydney.
"It's really exciting seeing these kids kicking the footy," Robinson said.
"You always get a few first timers who have never touched a footy, so it's good seeing them have a crack. Then you get those who are skilled and have been playing the game for a few years. So you get a whole range of different people.
"I think in the last few years AFL has really grown in Sydney and it's really good seeing so many kids getting involved."
After the clinic and Q&A, where the kids got an insight into the diet and training commitments of an AFL athlete, the trio stayed to sign autographs before heading off to visit Redlands and Middle Harbour.
Thirty-seven schools were visited across the afternoon with every member of the 2016 playing list involved.