HOLY Rosary Primary School students lined the classroom to get signatures from their favourite Carlton footballers on Wednesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mitch Robinson, Tom Bell, Andrejs Everitt, Tom Bell and Nick Holman answered questions and played kick-to-kick with the Heathcote students as part of their country visits.
All 44 Carlton players took time out to host clinics across regional Victoria.
Robinson said it was important for AFL footballers to visit towns like Heathcote.
“It is always good to come out to these places and give back a little bit,” he said.
“Coming from a country place in Tasmania we didn’t have many players that came out and travelled down to see us.
“You can see the impact it has on the kids when you come to schools, they are pretty engaged.
“A lot of them (students) do play footy but we are making sure we get sport out there and that kids are staying healthy and active.”
Carlton has had a mixed season heading into the bye.
Their record stands at three and five.
The Blues utility said the club wasn’t panicking about their season.
He said he and his teammates were remaining positive that they could still play finals footy despite its position on the ladder.
“We know when we are playing well and consistent footy we will get the win,” Robinson said.
“We are not at panic stations at the club.
“We have Adelaide after the bye and then Brisbane after that so there are a couple of games we think we can win.
“The season isn’t over yet, we still have plenty of time.
“We know if we put the wins on the board we will make finals.”
Robinson said scrutiny surrounded the club after the first four games of 2014 was justified, as the team failed to win a game.
“We are a pretty big club in Victoria and we didn’t get off to the best start to the season, so it was warranted,” he said.
“Sometimes things get blown out of proportions, but we need to play good footy.
“We are trying to get the wins for the supporters now.
“If we can get some more wins then we will be in the eight.”
Robinson is set to miss the Blues' round 10 clash with the Crows after accepting a one-match ban for striking St Kilda’s Jack Newnes on Monday night.
“We will just take the week,” he said.
“I will miss the Adelaide game which is annoying because I won’t get to play against Eddie Betts, an old teammate.
“I will take the week off, freshen up and do some running.
“I have now set my goals for the Brisbane game up at the Gabba.
“Hopefully the boys get the win next week and I get back into a winning team.”