Richmond players travelled to schools across Victoria on Monday as part of the AFL’s country-visit program.

Players had a kick with students in the morning’s Super Clinics, before they answered some hard-hitting questions at primary and secondary schools in the afternoon.

The Tigers were split into four groups and visited the Yarra Ranges, Yarrawonga, Warragul/Drouin and Bunyip/Pakenham areas.

Fifteen players descended on the Cardinia Shire, a partner of the Club, and met students at Beaconsfield, Cardinia, Pakenham Springs and Officer Primary Schools.

The trip to Pakenham Springs was particularly special for Richmond defender Steve Morris, given it is one of 13 schools in the shire that is sponsored by the Club to run the Better Buddies Framework.

Morris said the framework, which stems from the Club’s partnership with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, helps to minimise the prevalence of bullying in schools.

“In Australia, bullying affects one in four children,” Morris said.

“Through Better Buddies, children in their first and last year of primary school “buddy up” and learn values such as caring for others, friendliness, respect, valuing difference, including others and responsibility.”

Morris added that he always looked forward to meeting children at the country visits.

“The country visits are a really important part of our role as AFL players,” he said.

“They provide a great opportunity to interact with younger fans, as well as students who might not follow AFL.”

A further Richmond five players travelled to the Yarra Ranges, while 14 players spent the day conducting Super Clinics at Warragul’s Western Park and Drouin Recreation Reserve.

The fourth group travelled to border-town Yarrawonga and held a Super Clinic at JC Lowe Oval, before doing the rounds at various secondary schools.

The Club will have an increased presence in Yarrawonga, when the Next Generation AFL Club Academy program rolls out in the region later this year.