Ten Roos’ players spent time with the AFL premier earlier this week.

“It was fantastic, to get access to the best team in Australia, their environment, their training and their leadership model, it was worth a lot to us,” Burgess said.

Former Wodonga premiership coach Jeff Gieschen was the link, the pair remaining friends since the club’s 1990 grand final win over Lavington.

“We went into a meeting room with their two senior assistant coaches, Steven King and Rohan Smith, for an hour and they spoke to the boys about a range of issues,” Burgess said.

“Leadership style, leadership behaviours, just general information on how the Western Bulldogs go about their training and preparation.

“That was probably the highlight for the boys, they were able to sit there and reel off some questions to them.”

The Roos will field one of the Ovens and Murray Football League’s youngest teams, with their leadership group ranging between 17 and 21, including classy youngsters Joe Hansen and Jay O’Donoghue.

“We want to create a wave of leaders coming through and if we can get them as young as we can, it should give us momentum at some stage down the track,” Burgess said.

“It’s part of the club’s investment back into the local talent and try to fast-track their development both on and off the field.

“We’re trying to develop their football, but we’re also asking them to develop personally as well, so they become the next leaders within the club.”

The Roos are undergoing a well-documented rebuilding program after a winless season.

“We can’t match some of the other teams on-field in terms of win-losses and recruits and across the whole board,” Burgess said.

“We’re trying to do everything we can in terms of creating a really good environment and lots of learning and opportunity in the program.

“Once they get to the stage where they’re around 24 years of age, maybe up around 100 games, we think we’ll be in good shape to be a strong competitor at some stage.

“Hopefully it reassures everyone in the region that we’re trying to do the right thing by our young fellows here.”

The Roos started their leadership program eight months ago.

Meanwhile, a number of clubs will play their first practice games on Saturday.

Wangaratta’s boom recruit, ex-North Melbourne player, Ben Speight will debut against Albury at Corowa.

And Yarrawonga will host Lavington.