Essendon youngsters Kyle Langford, Jayden Laverde, Jake Long and Conor McKenna today joined more than a hundred draftees from across the competition at day one of the 2015 AFL Players’ Induction Camp.

First time AFL draftees today travelled to Etihad Stadium to be welcomed into the AFL system by their representative body.

122 players participated in day one of the two day camp, which will see draftees briefed on a number of topics including the importance of wellbeing, career development, financial education, personal brand, respectful relationships, illicit drugs and match fixing, anti-doping as well as an education session about the AFL Players’ charity, Ladder, which helps tackle the issue of youth homelessness.

Laverde said it was an eye opening experience to get an insight into the career that he has ahead.

“There was a lot of boys there that I have played with throughout the year and it was good to see some familiar faces again,” Laverde said.

“It was a really good day today, I learnt a lot about resilience and how to structure your finances.”

“I learnt that there is a charity that is associated with the Players Association with Ladder so that was really good.”

With players from all 18 clubs in attendance, day one of the Induction Camp also provided players with the opportunity to gain an insight into the AFL system from recently retired stars, President Luke Ball and St Kilda champion Lenny Hayes.

Hayes, who was awarded the 2014 Madden Medal, said players need to understand the importance of engaging in off field development and begin maximising their time in the game as soon as they enter the system, as their careers won’t always turn out how they had planned.

“Being here today takes you back to when you first got drafted – it’s such an exciting time. As these boys will find out – AFL football can be a bit of a roller coaster and these guys will need to be prepared for that.”

“But like anything in life, things don’t always goes your way, but I was told if you do the work, you can expect the results at the end of the day – it’s important to always have faith in yourself.”

“The boys need to maximise their time in the game and the best way to do this is getting involved in off-field development right from day one.”