Essendon Football Club officially welcomed the parents of the club’s first-year players on Friday at the True Value Solar Centre.

The parents took a tour of the club’s new facilities before hearing from a number of key staff that outlined the expectations of all Essendon players.

Player Development Manager Ashley Brown said it was important to make the families feel comfortable at their sons’ new workplace.

“It was really important for us to get all the new parents together from across Australia,” Brown said.

“Not only does it provide an opportunity for the club to connect with the new parents, it is also a chance for the parents to meet each other and have that support network.

Cathy and Greg Merrett, the parents of Jackson and newly drafted Zach Merrett, were among the group who attended the day.

“We had a tour through the new facilities which is amazing, a bit different to Windy Hill, and we got to meet the new parents which was nice,” Cathy said.

“They’re very lucky to have [the new facilities], this is their job now and to have the best facilities to work in is pretty special.”

For Cathy and Greg, it was their chance to have a glimpse of the environment their sons will share for their AFL career, one that they never initially dreamed of.

“It’s great to think the two boys are at the one club,” Cathy said.

“I never ever imagined one would be playing at an AFL club, let alone both of them ending up at the same club - it’s worked out really, really well.”

While the two Merrett brothers have both had distinguished junior careers, playing together has been a rare occurrence.

“They’ve only played together once, when Zach was eight and Jackson 11, so to see them be at an AFL club together is incredible,” Greg said.

“The opportunity to play their second game of football together at the highest level - I don’t know how you can explain the feeling we’ll have on that day.”