SIX local TAC Cup players will have a taste of professional football when they train with the Western Bulldogs at the AFL club's community camp in Swan Hill.
Billy McInnes, Mitchell Seton-Stewart, Jackson Holt, Ryan Middlebrook, Ben Fuller and Declan Foott all remained on the Bendigo Pioneers top-age list following the club's most recent cut last weekend.
The Pioneers players will have the opportunity to train with the Bulldogs on Wednesday from 10am at Swan Hill Recreation Reserve.
The entire Bulldogs playing list and coaching staff will spend two days in Swan Hill next Tuesday and Wednesday, with a variety of school, hospital and nursing home visits planned.
Among the highlights will be an Auskick super clinic at Swan Hill Recreation Reserve from 4pm next Tuesday, while an opportunity to have Dinner with the Dogs -- at the Swan Hill Town Hall from 6.30pm on Tuesday -- is also set to be a highlight.
VCFL North West area manager Bruce Petering said the variety of events would all offer something for everyone.
"All school age children can come along to the super clinic, and mix it with the big boys," he said.
"They can learn the skills of the game and then get an autograph from their favourite Bulldogs player."
At Dinner with the Dogs, guests will get fascinating insights into the operations of an AFL club, Petering said.
"You'll hear from Brendan McCartney about what really goes on at an AFL football club," he said.
"There'll be the opportunity to ask questions to Brendan McCartney, Matthew Boyd and other high profile Doggies."
The Bulldogs' training session on Wednesday would also be a great insight into the running of an AFL club, Petering said.
"It's a great opportunity to see first hand an AFL training run, I would expect local clubs will get a lot out of watching how the pros go about it."
Central Murray/North Central regional development manager Trevor Mellington said the six locals that would join the Bulldogs were excited at the opportunity.
"They're stoked. It's obviously a great opportunity -- but it's very much the Bulldogs' initiative," he said.
"They did it last year, when they were in Horsham, they invited six local TAC Cup players to train with them."
Mellington said the fact the players remained on the Pioneers' list at this stage of the selection process was an achievement in itself.
"The Pioneers squad has been cut pretty close to half since it was first selected," he said.
"If they all got through it would be huge for Swan Hill, so fingers crossed a few make the final cut."
Former Swan Hill youngster Codie Price, now living in Bendigo, also remains on the Pioneers' list.
The Pioneers have a practice game on February 12.
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