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Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants star Dylan Addison admits his visit to Taronga Western Plains Zoo during his two days at Dubbo has given him something to brag about when he returns to his club this week.
Addison and Giants coaching member Sam Reid were at Dubbo the past two days, taking in a number of school and community visits as well as running a training clinic at South Dubbo Oval yesterday.
But Addison said the visit to the zoo and the chance to feed a group of giraffes was a real highlight.
"It's not often guys from the city are able to feed giraffes first thing in the morning so it's pretty cool and a unique experience and enjoying a couple of days in Dubbo," he said.
"We got a few snaps so it's definitely something for the scrapbook."
While Addison personally enjoyed his brush with the animals he said he also took great joy in seeing local youngsters taking part in the game he loves.
The Giants pair, as well as members of AFL NSW/ACT, visited five schools during the past two days, passing on tips and skills as well as promoting the message of being active.
"AFL in Dubbo is obviously got some building and growth to do but we certainly think there's a great opportunity for AFL, especially in a town of 45,000 people and there's a lot of talent," he said.
"We've been out to schools and there's some tremendous talent so get a couple of those guys playing some AFL and it will be pretty special.
"To see the kids running around and having fun with a smile on their face is great. It's what we did growing up, we played Auskick and junior football for the fun of it and it was our pathway and hopefully it's the pathway for kids here too."
The Giants are preparing to enter their fourth season in the AFL and Addison said it was important for his side to get out to regional areas to continue the club's growth.
The men from Sydney's west have already formed links with the ACT and some areas of southern NSW
"It's really important not only for the Giants brand but for the AFL brand too. And also purely and simply to get the kids out there and being active, it's such an important thing around the world for kids to be active and involved in sport," he said.
"The off-field stuff in the community has been really positive and it's days like this when we get out into rural areas are only going to be good for the Giants so we've got to keep on Western Sydney and grow it there but it's great to be further out and seeing people here."
Addison and his GWS team are now preparing for the annual pre-season NAB Cup competition which runs for a month from February 26.
Following that the Giants start their 2015 season proper with a trip to St Kilda on April 5 and the versatile Addison admits there's a confident mood in the squad as they chase their first ever finals place.
"Every club is positive at this stage of the year and we've had a few injuries at the end of last season but they've come good and everyone is on track to be firing for round one," he said.
"We've got a lot of young guys who have been around the club for three or four years and are now 22, 23 years old and are now ready to go and play AFL football. They're getting bigger and stronger and ready to handle AFL football so it's all looking positive."