Some of the other boys play golf or find other hobbies to keep their mind refreshed from all those football pressures.
In my four senior AFL games, I have only played once at home - and playing at the Gabba is something totally different.
It is such a rush to run out in front of your own home crowd and hear that loud roar that goes around the stadium. There is nothing that quite compares to that feeling.
This one is probably a little from left field, but I was lucky enough to play a few games in country Victoria alongside former North Melbourne Captain Anthony Stevens.
I just loved watching him play during his time at the Kangaroos. If you get the chance to go back and watch highlights of him playing - which I would strongly advise you do - just can’t help but watch and admire his attack on the footy and the roles he played for the team.
It would be pretty hard to find a better team player to have played the game.
Justin Sherman is one bloke around the Club that is full of beans and can really get the boys going.
He is the type of guy who loves getting in your face - whether he’s singing solo in the gym or just buzzing around the locker rooms. He is definitely a vibrant character that is healthy for the team.
Troy Selwood is another one who tells some great stories around the Club. Whenever he starts to talk, the boys go quiet, listen to his experiences and take away some handy advice.
We are lucky enough to have three international players at the Club.
Pearce Hanley has been playing really good footy in the Reserves and is on the brink of playing senior footy. He deserves his chance when it comes along.
Niall McKeever - the second of our Irish imports - has settled in well to the Club and is learning more and more about the game every week. He is lucky enough to live with Toddy Banfield - this week’s Rising Star.
Donald Barry is from PNG and he is an excitement machine. If anyone was out at Sherwood watching the game last Sunday, you would know what I am talking about. He kicked a bag of goals and can turn on a 10 cent piece - his agility is quite remarkable.
Congratulations to Toddy Banfield who was this week’s AFL Rising Star nominee.
He is an excitement machine who can run away from - or run down - just about any player in the competition. He has been kicking goals and making tackles week in week out.
Hopefully he can start paying for taxis to the airport now that he has been earning a bit more money.
There are plenty of good lunch options for the boys around the footy club.
Thai Rose is just across the road and is very good while Brewed Awakenings is a great option for a coffee and lighter meals like toasties. Jennifer’s Catering another nice place where you can get freshly made sangas and salads of your choice.
