AFTER last week’s NAB AFL Draft, Shannon Byrnes undertook a road trip of “about 700 to 800km” in country Victoria to meet and greet two of Melbourne’s new players.

It was all part of the two-time Geelong premiership player and former Demon’s new role, where he plays an important part in Melbourne’s football department, as the club’s player development manager.

Byrnes, who played 131 AFL matches from 2004-14, including 108 games with the Cats and 23 with Melbourne, said visiting the homes of Clayton Oliver and Mitch King after they were drafted by the club was an important part of the recruiting process.

“I went to Wodonga to see Mitch King and then stayed in Shepparton that night and then I saw Clayton Oliver the next day in Mooroopna and then travelled back to Melbourne after that,” he told melbournefc.com.au.  

“It’s important to build a good relationship with the players’ family from the start, because they’re the ones who are going to be able to help, if the player is struggling for whatever reason.

“It was good to go out and see where they come from and get an idea of what makes them tick, so that’s what I did initially after the draft.

“After they were drafted on Tuesday night, we gave them until Friday to come down to the club, so it gave them a bit of time to say goodbye to their family and friends. They’ve all had to relocate, expect Sam Weideman, who is still with his family.”

Byrnes said he gave the players a tour of the club and then took them to meet their host families last Friday.

“Josh Wagner, who was selected in the rookie draft last Friday, has moved in with Mitch King’s host family and they’ll be living together up until Christmas and then Josh will move into one of the players’ house,” he said.

“Other than those two players, the draftees are with separate host families.

“They’re all good kids and really easy to get along with and I don’t think we’re going to have much trouble with them. They’re keen to learn and wanted to get out on the track straight away, so we had to hold them back a little bit.”

The players then had physio and medical screenings conducted over the weekend, before they had their first training session with the rest of the squad at Gosch’s Paddock on Monday.

From there, the players will slowly build into Melbourne’s training program.

Byrnes said the players’ parents will have an induction into the club this weekend, so they can “get a feel for the club and get an idea of what their boys will do on a week to week basis”.

He added that he would continue to be the players’ first point of contact for most of the year.

“They’ll probably lean on me in the early weeks and then throughout the season, they’ll be able to give me a call or send me a message,” he said.

“If I can’t provide the answers, I’ll put them on to somebody who can.”

Byrnes, who played at Casey in 2015, and was Melbourne’s welfare and development coach last season, said he was now relishing the sole focus of his new position.  

“I’m really enjoying it and it’s the area I got the most satisfaction out of last season, after being spread across a few roles,” he said.

“This is an area I feel I’ve got a lot to give. I feel like I’ve been in a lot of situations in football – whether it’s being on the fringe, on the rookie list or in successful teams or unsuccessful teams.

“I’ve got a good feel for how most players are feeling, so I try and use that experience and bring it to this role and make it easier for them.

“I’m really looking forward to working with this group and I think the supporters should be really excited about them.”