A trio of AFL players have run a free football clinic in fire-ravaged East Gippsland to give local children something to smile about.
Port Adelaide players Robbie Gray and Travis Boak flew to Victoria for the clinic in Paynesville on Saturday, where they were also flanked by the Western Bulldogs' Marcus Bontempelli.
More than 300 boys and girls showed up to learn from the professionals through drills and games.
Gray told the children he grew up in East Gippsland's Bairnsdale before moving away at age 10.
"I've got lots of family here and obviously know a lot of people in East Gippsland are going through some really tough times at the moment," he said.
"It's just great to get back here and I hope you all get something out of it today."
Boak said the main idea of the clinic was to give the children a chance to have fun.
"It's obviously been pretty tough for the families and the community involved here," he told WIN News in Paynesville.
"When you get the opportunity to help out, you put your hand up pretty quick...it's great to come out here today and see some smiles on the kids faces."
AFL Gippsland had confirmed on Wednesday that Gray had requested leave from training with the Power to travel for the event.
It donated 300 footballs to children attending.
Australian Associated Press
