Essendon Football Club played host to the AFL/AIS elite under 18 Academy on Thursday at the True Value Solar Centre.

The academy comprising of the best 30 junior players in the country was put through their paces as they trained at the club’s new facilities.

With an elite coaching panel comprising of AFL greats Matthew Lloyd, Brad Johnson, Tadgh Kennelly, Brad Ottens and Glen Jakovich, the squad trained at a high intensity in front of family and recruiters.

AFL/AIS Academy coach Brad Johnson said it was fantastic to train in an elite environment.

“It’s just a great facility in terms of what you got indoors and the standard of the ground was just first class,” he said.

“The guys we’ve got in the Academy were very lucky to come and be involved in such a great club.”

After training, the Academy were treated to a special presentation by senior coach Mark Thompson, who explained to the young guns what is expected of them in an AFL club.

The squad of 30 players will be divided up amongst AFL clubs next week, as the players spend a week in an AFL environment.

Three players will land at the Bombers with Hugh Goddard, Peter Wright and Jake Lever to spend a week with the club.

Goddard, the first coustin of Brendon is a 195cm tall forward and currently plays with the Geelong Falcons.

He is renowned for his marking prowess and leadership qualities similar to his star cousin.

He will be joined by fellow Academy members Wright and Lever for the week, which will see the three juniors live the life of an AFL player.

Johnson said the experience would provide the players with a great opportunity to earn respect from AFL clubs.

“It’s a great experience for them to get involved,” he said.

“For them to spend a week as a player is a buzz for them, and they get a lot out of it as well.

“It’s out of their comfort zone; they’ll be nervous when they go in.

“Hopefully they go in and we’ve taught them the right tools to earn some respect, train hard and do the right things.”