It was day one for the latest crop of Bulldogs draftees who arrived at the Club for the first time on Friday morning.

Josh Dunkley, Kieran Collins, Marcus Adams and Bailey Williams had a 9.30am appointment with Player Wellbeing & Welfare Manager, Brent Prismall who said that it was important they all come in together on their first day.

“It’s good to have them all come in as a group.  They’re a bit of a team within a team in some ways and we really try to send that message, that they have to look after each other. 

“Particularly when they’re on a different schedule to the other guys.” 

What each of the schedules eventually look like will be informed by the meetings they’ll have with Club physios and conditioning staff, but first order of business is a tour of their new home.

“First thing we did this morning was show them around the Club,” Prismall said.

“Although this morning’s tour has gone on a lot longer than we planned for because all our players are here and they're all really keen to meet their new teammates.”

Prismall said that the young pups’ transition will be made easier by a mentor system, where the new recruits will be paired with a senior player who can help them adjust to life as an AFL footballer.

“Each player that comes in will have a buddy, or a mentor, and that’s put in place to help them settle into the group, show them how to book a massage, show them how structure of the week looks and all that sort of thing.” 

Prismall said that while he’s reluctant to give them any specific advice because the experience of a draftee in 2015 is so different from when he was drafted, he did have one message he wanted them to all take on board.

“Walk in with an open mind, take it all in and enjoy it, because you’re only going to walk into this club on the first day once.

“Just be yourselves and enjoy the ride.”