We begin with Melbourne's Clint Bartram, Lion Joel Patfull and St Kilda's David Armitage.
Clint Bartram (Melbourne)
1. Which junior club did you play at?
Ocean Grove.
2. What is your first memory of junior footy?
I was a big Essendon supporter, so I always wore the Essendon jumper down at training.
3. What is your favourite memory of junior footy?
I remember one time they made me wear a Geelong jumper at training and I sat there for hours crying about [it], because I hated them even though I was from Geelong. Everyone else barracked for Geelong and I didn't like hearing all the time, "Geelong is the greatest". I was lucky because Essendon went through a pretty successful period in my childhood, so that definitely set the tone for me and I thought that's what I wanted to do with my career - play league football.
4. Who did you barrack for in the AFL as a kid?
Essendon.
5. Who was your hero/favourite player?
I was a massive fan of James Hird and I always had No. 5 on my back and to this day, I still look up to him because of the way he played his football and also for the way he has conducted himself away from football as well. We used to also watch Gary Ablett when it was Kardinia Park and he used to absolutely tear sides apart and that was pretty exciting for a young fella, watching him sit on people's heads.
6. What can you recall of the AFL first game you went to?
I wouldn't have a clue actually. I was introduced to footy pretty young. Geelong might be called 'Sleepy Hollow' but football is about the only thing that happens down there, so I was involved in the game from a young age.
Joel Patfull (Brisbane Lions)
1. Which junior club did you first play at?
St. Morris Primary School in Adelaide.
2. What is your first memory of junior footy?
I think I was about five or six. I sort of remember it, which is a bit weird – I think I remember it because I was playing with my two older brothers. I can’t recall if I got a kick though.
3. Who did you barrack for in the AFL as a kid?
Adelaide.
4. Who was your hero/favourite player?
Tony Modra was pretty huge when I was growing up and I guess he was my idol early on.
5. What can you recall of the AFL first game you went to?
I can actually remember this. It was the Crows v North Melbourne at Footy Park and Modra took a couple of screamers and kicked 10 or 11 goals.
David Armitage (St Kilda)
1. Which junior club did you play for?
Eastern Swans in Mackay back in the under-10s.
What is your first memory of junior footy?
Running around and snapping goals from the pocket.
What is your favourite memory of junior footy?
Winning the under-14s grand final with all my mates from school.
Who did you barrack for in the AFL as a kid?
Geelong, but when Brisbane started winning I got on their bandwagon.
Who was your hero/favourite player?
Like a lot of kids my age, it was Gary Ablett senior.
What can you recall of the AFL first game you went to?
I played at half time of the Hawthorn v Brisbane match at the Gabba in 1996. It was Roger Merrett’s 300th game. I’d never been anywhere outside of Mackay and it was huge.
