WHEN Saurabh Bhandakar first saw a group of kids kicking an Australian rules football around a playground in Mumbai, little did he know how that moment would change his world.
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That was nearly five years ago.
Fast forward to 2016 and the 25-year-old, together with fellow Mumbaikar Sumesh Sawant, who was introduced to the game by an Australian cricket teammate of his in Mumbai, have been in Australian as ambassadors for the AFL game back home in India.
A whirlwind tour of Australia for the pair included stops in Melbourne, Geelong and of course Bendigo, a city that has fostered its own ties with AFL India and the local people through a pair of visits from a delegation representing the Bendigo Football Netball League.
The group, led by Golden Square chaplain Bruce Claridge, has spent much of its time in India working with children and families in the slums of Kolkata.
A visit last October-November served a dual purpose, with the delegation heavily involved in the organisation of the AFL India national championships.
It was a tournament both Bhandakar, who is a Reclink Mumbai development manager and counts himself as a Hawthorn supporter, and 22-year-old Sawart both participated in.
Reclink is chief organiser of the yearly Mumbai Footy Cup, which this year attracted six senior and four junior teams.
The culture shock aside of adjusting from Indian temperatures in the high-30s, to Victoria's wintry weather and chilly temperatures, the pair said they enjoyed their stay, which included their first live AFL game at the MCG, a mid-week tour of Simonds Stadium and pulling on the boots for the Salvo Hawks in the Reclink Cup last Wednesday.
A two-day trip to Bendigo was a chance to catch up with members of the BFNL India delegation, including Golden Square footballer Jake Donegan and Strathfieldsaye fitness adviser Mick Talbot.
It also served as an opportunity to hit the training track with reigning BFNL premiers Strathfeldsaye.
This would be no normal Thursday night training session, with it falling two days before the Storm's top-two clash against Golden Square.
Storm co-coach Darryl Wilson said it was great to see the lads getting involved.
"It's wonderful that the game is expanding across the world," he said.
"When Mick (Talbot) said can we look after them it was a no-brainer.
"You could see the smiles on their faces just getting a few jumpers, so it's pretty exciting to have them here."
Donning his new Storm jumper, Bhandakar said it was an opportunity to "learn from the best".
“Coming to Australia is a dream come true for us both,” he said.
“I never imagined coming to Australia when I first encountered Australian rules.”