A lot of the Bendigo Pioneers were at the youth forum on Wednesday night, and there were about 15 of us players there. Hopefully, the players got something out of the forum - wejust spoke about our experiences in coming through the ranks and our different backgrounds.We also touched on what we're doing, apart from football.
Afterwards, we went back to the hotel and had a few quiet drinks - it was the skipper's 30th, so we had a few drinks and then it was off to bed. We did a weights session this morning at a local gym. We came back for some breakfast and had the same as yesterday on the menu - cereal, toast and fruit.
We then did some hospital visits; I went to the Mercy Hospital and chattedto a few of the older people and also the women in the maternity ward. A few of the other guys went to an aged care facility and a few went to the other hospital around the corner.The hospital visit finished about noon and it was back to the hotel for lunch.
The boys then relaxed for an hour by the pool and then came to the Queen Elizabeth Oval and had a coaching clinic with some of the kids. The kids looked a bit exhausted after running around in the heat – the heat took a fair bit out of them, but they had fun. There was a good turnout again of people to watch training and we trained with the Bendigo Bombers. It was a good opportunity for us to get to know some of those guys and to know their faces.
It has been a productive three days in Bendigo; we've done some good training and I found the people really friendly. The main thing I've enjoyed is getting out and having a chat with some ofthe local kids. I found the kids to be really good and hopefully the people of Bendigo,and kids especially, have got something out of it. Maybe we've converted a few new Essendon supporters.
Luke West from the Bendigo Advertiser caught up with Sean Wellman.
