THE kick-to-kick was keenly contested and the questioning just as intense when the Western Bulldogs visited primary schools across Bendigo on Tuesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With their team facing the bye this weekend, 12 senior-listed players headed bush for the day.
At Girton Grammar, year one students put forward Liam Jones and midfielder Clay Smith under the microscope, quizzing them about their school days, nicknames, training regime and life away from football.
They boys then conducted a mini-clinc for the excited youngsters.
Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen and young defender Sam Darley were at St Monica's Primary, holding skills sessions and a scratch match on the oval.
They then teamed up to launch the 2014 Auskick season in central Victoria, helped by hordes of eager pupils.
Griffen said the players enjoyed the chance to get out into country areas.
They may have even recruited a few more Doggies fans.
"We hope so," he said. "That's the whole point of coming out here, trying to get the young kids on board and hopefully they grow up to be Bulldogs supporters."
Other players to visit schools in the area included All-Australian ruckman Will Minson, rising star Lachie Hunter and central Victorians Jake Stringer and Stewart Crameri.