In the heart of Swans country - the next generation is ready to fly under the careful - but firm - guidance of Swans legend Michael O'Loughlin.
"Come with a purpose when you come to training. Let's not mess around, let's not fart-arse around. Let's get stuck into what we have to do to improve."
Thunghutti teen Royce Close has moved to Sydney from Kempsey [kemp-see] to take part in the Swans Academy, a talent program for genuine draft prospects in the AFL.
"I want to see myself pursue this career and just train hard. I moved to Sydney, put everything in it, left family, I just want to put everything in it and get the best out of it."
For the next six months, there's weekly training sessions, games, and national camps.
Royce's younger brother Shaydan is also following his dream in the under-16s.
"I got a bit of pace, skill, that sort of stuff, getting in and out of the ruck work and I like being active. It sets you up for life doing something you love."
Rounding out the Kempsey trio is their cousin Chris Holten.
Swans legend Michael O'Loughlin is trainer and mentor.
"We really like what we see but the process to becoming a professional AFL footballer at the elite level is so difficult. We're giving them a little bit of a roadmap for how to get there but they've got to want to do it themselves."
But a shadow has been cast over the game - the booing of Aboriginal player Adam Goodes saw him hounded out of the game last year.
The AFL officially apologised to Goodes last week in its annual report.
AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan said no player should ever face the hostility that Goodes did and the game should have acted sooner.
Royce Close says they're ready for racism.
"It's in every sport, racism. You've gotta have that good mindset to push it off and keep going like Goodesy did. He did a really good job, handled it well, especially with the booing. You gotta know how to handle it. If you can handle that it makes you a better player."
For the Kempsey boys - it's not a question of if they'll experience racism but when.
Chris Holten has a plan.
"Most likely everyone will (experience it). It's just going to happen I guess. Probably just ignore it most of the time and move on with my AFL. That's all I've got to worry about."
