It's not much before five o'clock at Ballarat's Eastern Oval. A venue steeped in sporting history is adding another small chapter, this time with North Melbourne Football Club and close to 100 energy-charged youngsters.
They've come in Carlton, Collingwood, Hawthorn, Richmond, Essendon and Brisbane Lions colours. Even West Coast is represented.
For every other strip there are three Roos. Some guernseys are brand new, others carry obvious sentimental value – handed down from an older brother or sister. Maybe even Dad.
This visit has been planned for some time and presentation is everything.
Allegiances aside, it's a scene that's been played out on many occasions at Eastern Oval, which still accommodates thousands for the local grand final and last year welcomed the $1 million refurbishment of its iconic grandstand.
The time-clock on top of the timber press box waits silently to strike the Kangaroos' new season; the East Point Kangaroos that is, formed in 2001 when East Ballarat merged with Golden Point.
Kicking off its Telstra AFL Community Camp for 2009 with a meet-and-greet clinic, North's two-day stint in the gold-rush town also includes forums for coaches and staff, primary school and hospital visits and a Tuesday afternoon training session.
But the rest of the schedule is far from their minds as players rediscover their Auskick-age enthusiasm at stations set up around the oval.
Some kids can do little but stare at their heroes – texta in one hand and poster in the other – working up the courage to ask for an autograph.
Boisterously, others take to the exercises with one aim: to earn a crucial 'well done' or 'keep going, mate' from Brent Harvey, Adam Simpson, Drew Petrie or another Roo they've seen on TV, in the newspaper or, in Petrie's case, heard plenty about.
Parents are torn between wanting to keep their distance and seeking a souvenir for the photo album, all while quietly encouraging perfect manners and the perfect kick.
One father would drop his car keys and join in with the hint of an invitation.
Crunching grass and the echo of rubber footballs blend with the leather thud of a tackle bag absorbing an eager hip-and-shoulder from an eight-year-old. Oohs and ahs at a near miss provide a miniature version of a Telstra Dome crowd.
Daniel Pratt's group encourages one excited participant to celebrate his efforts and so he does, hands raised to the sky and head thrown back as though he's won his team the game.
Brett Anderson, area manager for south-western Victoria in the VCFL, was Petrie's P.E. teacher at high school and dubs his former pupil "a great lad and a great ambassador for the town".
"We've had plenty of champions come from Ballarat and there's probably plenty more to come," he said.
Given it's the first day of school and temperatures have topped 30, Anderson, who has seen Ballarat host Carlton, Richmond and St Kilda in recent years, believes North should be pleased with the turn-out.
For Shannon Watt and Corey Jones, it's a return to familiar territory. Watt hails from Cavendish, a hamlet around two hours away, while Jones represented the Bendigo Pioneers at under-18 level.
Jones spent his share of days at Eastern Oval and recalls the thrill of having AFL footballers visit the country centres.
"You always remember those times," he said. "I used to get pretty excited. You've just got to put your hat on from when you were a young guy and hopefully they (the kids) have a good time like we did when we were kids."
And, as he takes his place beneath Grace's tree, part of him probably wonders whether a future AFL player is standing in his group.
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The 2009 Telstra AFL Community Camps take place across Australia, mostly in early February, giving rural and regional fans a chance to see their heroes up close. Full details.
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The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
