Many Bomber fans hoped Aaron Davey would walk in to Essendon one day.
He finally did that this week, albeit two years after his retirement.
The former Melbourne player is part of the ‘Rio Tinto Footy Means Business’ program that provides development opportunities for young indigenous footballers.
“It’s about informing the boys that footy isn’t going to be there for the rest of your life,” Davey said.
“It’s super important to make sure you’re doing something outside of footy.”
The program involves 50 young indigenous men aged between 19 and 23.
They’re talented players who have missed out on the draft, but haven’t given up hope of an AFL career.
Regardless of whether or not that opportunity comes, they’re being taught important skills that will help them in any industry.
“It’s all about giving these boys a chance and if it doesn’t work out on the football field then more importantly it gives them a vision and a path in life,” Davey said.
“The average length of an AFL career now is around four to six years.
“Before you know it you find yourself spat out of the system and thinking what do I do now?”
The players come from remote communities right across the country.
Many have never left their hometowns before and some already have young families.
“We do a lot of workshops, education, employment, social media – all things that they’ll need to be across if they do make it through to the AFL.
In their time at Essendon, the group trained on the oval, spent time in the gym and heard from Bombers champion, Michael Long.
“It’s great that the Essendon Football club has opened up its doors, like they do every year,” Davey said.
“The boys don’t get exposed to this kind of massive gym – it’s bigger than most of their houses.
“They’re about to do recovery in a heated pool, but it’s still going to be cold for some of these boys.”
On Saturday, the players will get the opportunity to run on the MCG and play in the curtain raiser ahead of the Essendon and Richmond clash.
“The boys are enjoying every moment of it,” Davey said.
“These are going to be memories that stay with these guys for a life time.
“I can assure you they’ll be talking about the ice-baths and the plunge pools.”
