During the off season, Jobe Watson, Cale Hooker and Tom Bellchambers travelled to the battlefields of Gallipoli to learn more about the service and sacrifice the ANZAC soldiers made a century ago.
The trip was confronting, insightful and emotional.
As the players walked the various battle sites and graveyards, they were told stories and firsthand accounts of the heavy casualties and unquestionable bravery shown by the Australian diggers.
In conjunction with Essendon Football Club, Channel Nine and Antler Luggage joined the players to produce a special documentary of the trip - On Foreign Fields.
On Foreign Fields will air following The Footy Show tomorrow night. Watch the pre-view here.
Watson struggled to comprehend what took place as he stood on the same strip of beach a century later.
“It’s hard to imagine the process those guys went through,” Watson said.
“One hundred years ago on this beach, in this place, people were giving up their lives.”
“Ten thousand people died where we are standing, Gallipoli is certainly one of the most humbling places I have been.”
The trip struck home as the trio learnt about the nine Essendon players who died at Gallipoli.
One of the most moving moments of On Foreign Fields is the players visit to the gravesite of former Bomber Andrew ‘Chris’ Fogarty.
For Bellchambers, hearing the stories and trying to visualise what took place in the trenches will stay with him forever.
“It’s something that I’ll hold close to my heart,” Bellchambers said.
“It’s a massive privilege to play on ANZAC Day, to be here now and see the battlefields and ANZAC Cove, it makes you stop and think about the sacrifice and courage of those young guys.”
Hooker said the trip has provided him with a greater understanding of what it means to play football on ANZAC Day.
“It has been a very moving experience,” Hooker said.
“ANZAC Day is great for remembering what these soldiers went through, and I’ve got a greater understanding of that.”
“I’ve always appreciated the meaning of ANZAC Day, during the Last Post and the minutes silence it will mean a lot more.”
On Foreign Fields airs on Channel 9 at 11.00pm tonight.
