Imagine having a special coaching session with Jack Darling, one of the best set shot goal-kickers in West Coast Eagles history.

Or playing a game run by Oscar Allen where it’s about winning a ground ball against other kids and you’re then feeding off a handball to Andrew Gaff.

Or you’re playing dodge ball with star midfielder Elliot Yeo and Melbourne recruit Jayden Hunt.

In Mandurah during a super clinic at Merlin Reserve there was that and so much more for a couple of hundred kids as they got the chance to get up close and personal with their AFL heroes.

A large contingent of players relished the opportunity to re-engage in the community camp for the first time in several years. It is a facet of the environment created by COVID that they have missed.

They all remember what it was like when they were playing junior footy, dreaming of being in the position they enjoy today. Doubtless this experience will fuel the desire of some of those children to follow the path. And some will make it to the top.

Some might even get to play for the Eagles.

Already more than a few showed a high aptitude for the game. And the proportion of girls who engaged in the hour-long hit-out was exceptional, many taking in the advice of West Coast Eagles AFLW star Ash McCarthy. 

The club’s top draft picks in the last year – Ella Roberts and Reuben Ginbey – both hail from Dunsborough and many of the aspiring young footballers at Merlin Reserve can relate to that.

But most of all, for both the club’s current senior players – and for the mainly 10-12 year-olds running around, it was all about fun. And in that respect it was difficult to tell who enjoyed it more.

The club will continue its commitment to re-connecting with the community at a fan day scheduled for Mineral Resources Park on Saturday, February 18.