New Essendon development coach Cam Roberts has taken the road less travelled to Bomberland.
Arriving at The Hangar from Melbourne University Blacks Football Club in December last year, Roberts has completed the first two months of his first AFL coaching role, guiding the Bombers' first to fourth-year midfielders while also leading the club's VFL midfield.
And while the jump from amateur football to the big league may sound like a sizeable one, it hasn't daunted Roberts, who is drawing on his experience outside of football - particularly at the Australian Prostate Centre - to guide Essendon's youngsters in their health and wellbeing.
“In my role at Australian Prostate Centre, I was working on a new initiative men’s health project. The project involved influencing men’s health behaviours to make them aware of their health and teach them practical ways to be able to identify what their health needs are, what they are neglecting and how to rectify that,” Roberts said.
“I gained a number of skills through this, and in particular I have been fortunate to gain an understanding of different people – gather a sense of who they are and what makes them tick and use that to build strong relationships.”
The 41-year-old is relishing being back in the AFL, having first been exposed to an elite football program almost 25 years ago.
Signed by Geelong from then-SANFL club Port Adelaide in 1996, the former key-position player managed 11 senior games in two seasons.
The South Australia's journey then ventured north, where he worked with Indigenous communities in the Top End, while his most recent role in the Victorian Amateur Football League has only reignited the desire to return to where it all began.
“I have always had a strong connection to football," Roberts said.
"I worked for AFL Northern Territory for a long period of time, based in Darwin and remote Indigenous communities. The role focused on community development and game development.
“I enjoyed playing a small window of football at Geelong and more recently I have been coaching at the amateur level.
“I have always been tied to footy and coaching my own side in the amateur comp reignited the fire to get involved in an elite football program.
“I am really grateful for the opportunity to work at Essendon.”
Roberts will work closely with fellow newcomer Blake Caracella in leading the development of Essendon’s midfield.