AS A YOUNGSTER growing up in rugby-mad New South Wales, Aaron vandenBerg says he was never fortunate enough to have an AFL footballer visit his school.
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But that's what the tough Melbourne on-baller and a handful of his Demons teammates found themselves doing in Bendigo on Tuesday.
At Girton Grammar School, vandenBerg and ruckman Jake Spencer took charge of skills and question and answer sessions with junior school students.
The pair later participated in a discussion with the school's sports science students, elite athletes and members of the Central Vic AFL Academy.
It was a welcome exercise and distraction for 25-year-old vandenBerg, who has yet to make an appearance for the Demons this season due to a heel injury sustained in the pre-season series.
The stress fracture is expected to sideline him for at least another seven weeks.
vandenBerg said getting among the young fans was something he really enjoyed.
"Often they have some good questions and throw some things at you that you don't normally think about, so it's interesting to hear what they say," he said.
"The kids love it and it's great to see the enjoyment on their faces when they are showing off their skills and asking questions.
"It wasn't something that was done at my school in NSW - I think I might be the only AFL player to have come from my school."
With the Demons well-placed for a finals tilt in ninth place with a 5-5 win-loss record, vandenBerg's message to Demons fans was to stay patient.
"Unfortunately we've had a few slips throughout the season, which you could put down to maturity and we haven't been able to perform when we've needed to late in games," he said.
"But as a whole we've beeen going well. We are a very young team and we are definitely on the up.
"It's a matter of piecing it all together and understanding game-state a little better.
"Finals are definitely the aim. "
It was exactly the sort of encouraging words at least two young Demons fans in the audience wanted to hear.
Grade five students Sienna Hooke and Kiara Primmer could not contain their delight after meeting their Demons idols.
"It was really fun because I have never met a Melbourne player before - my uncle has," Sienna said.
"Hopefully they make the top-eight."
Hailing from a family full of Demon supporters, Kiara said she always looked forward to watching her team play on TV.
"After today, I think Aaron vandenBerg is my favourite player," she said.
