LAST Monday, Melbourne finished a program for the season, which had nothing to do with weights, diet or game styles.

In fact, it was far removed from the AFL – but the impact has been profound for a number of Melbourne players.

Since earlier this year, 18 Melbourne players have visited the Melbourne Youth Justice Centre in Parkville at least once or twice a month. Each time, the visits have lasted anywhere from 60 minutes to two hours.

Melbourne player development manager Andrew Nichol – a former Bulldogs player and teacher at Scotch College – explained to melbournefc.com.au how the program came about.    

“The background came from Nev Jetta doing a presentation around the Indigenous camp from earlier in the year. He was looking to get involved in a few different projects and we’d get an expression of interest from the Juvenile Justice Centre about being involved,” he said.   

“We mentioned it to the group – and it was an open invitation – and then Jeffy [Garlett] spoke to me about the presentation that Nev gave and said ‘would it be worth asking the other boys?’ It’s just grown from there.

“We went out there in NAIDOC week as part of their celebration and that was a good experience for them to be a part of and there were some Aboriginal elders out there who were greatly appreciative of the effort the club and the boys made.”

Nichol said Garlett had since been a driving force in the program.

“Nev, Jeff and Jay [Kennedy-Harris] have gone in and worked with some of the Aboriginal boys that are in there and have worked closely with the Indigenous leaders and teachers in the college,” he said.

“The boys have been exposed to people as young as 12 through to 18.

“It’s been a great little grounding. We’ve gone on a Monday afternoon and sometimes it’s been after a loss, so it’s a great reality check for our guys when they go over there. They soon see that their life is all right.”

Garlett, who visited Parkville a few times during his time at Carlton, said he wanted to take it to another level, when the program came about at Melbourne.  

“I mentioned it to the boys and a few of them wanted to jump on board. It wasn’t compulsory and it wasn’t just one or two, we’ve had quite a few, which has been positive,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“We play a bit of footy, basketball, soccer or table tennis with them – it’s about being present when you’re with them.

“And the good thing about it as well is that we’ve got a few members, who have signed up as well. A few of the staff members have become Melbourne members.”

Garlett said the main aim of the visits was to “motivate and encourage the youngsters to do the right thing”.

“The good thing is just getting out there and getting out to the young guys. It’s good to get in touch with them and see how they’re going and make sure they’re going all right. They do school work in there as well,” he said.

“Some guys get out of there, so that’s the good thing about it – we get to see different people each time. People that have been there for a while get out.

“We’re just here to help these guys. We want them to get out and we say to them that ‘this is not where you want to be and you want to be doing something else’. It’s been a pretty positive experience.”

For Garlett, he said it had been an experience he’ll never forget.

“It’s been amazing – not just for me – but for the players and the people there,” he said.

“It gives an insight to both the players and people in there.

“Some of them don’t even watch football, but then they say ‘I’ll keep an eye out for you’.

Nichol said it had been a great opportunity for all concerned and the club was looking to take the program to another level next year.

“We’ll reengage Parkville College next year and they’re only too happy to have us,” he said.

“We’re looking at having first-year players’ visit Parkville, as part of their induction program, probably up until the bye, on a monthly basis.

“It’s a nice balance and reminder of the opportunities they have and a good chance for them to give back to people.”

As for Garlett, he has embraced the program to the point that it could form part of his plans post-career.  

“I’d definitely have a look into it,” he said.