They've traveled a long way from home, but for many they've never been closer to unlocking their football dreams.
The AFL Footy Means Business participants hail from regional towns all over Australia, to attend a one week camp in Melbourne and the opportunity to run out at the MCG in the curtain raiser for the weekend's Dreamtime round.
For some, it's the beginning of a path that's hoped to lead to the AFL.
This year Derek Eggmolesse-Smith of the Barkindji in Mildura left behind family to chase his goals of joining the football elite.
Derek Eggmolesse-Smith of the Barkindji in Mildura VIC Source: SBS
"[I] recently just moved to Melbourne here to pursue my AFL dream, hopefully will come true next year. I'll just keep working hard. I love it."
It's a leap of faith former Geelong star Matthew Stokes says he knows all about.
As a teenager he left behind his large extended family in the Northern Territory, moving to South Australia to try for the AFL draft.
"Not being around family was really hard for me. I always had my cousins around growing up, we were always going out shooting and hunting and stuff. So not to have that release and access to family was really difficult."
He was passed over three times before getting his chance with Geelong.
AFL Footy Means Business Source: SBS
It was a chance he grabbed with both hands, helping the side to premierships in 2007 and 2011 and notching up 200 games over his career.
As he matured in the game, he says, the importance of being an Indigenous AFL player became clear.
"You see the impact you can have on the footy field and off it. When you're young you don't realise that but once you get a little bit older you start to realise how important you could be and the differences you could make."
He says he's put that realisation into practice managing the AFL's Footy Means Business program.
Run in collaboration with mining giant Rio Tinto, the program gives participants an opportunity to work in the AFL's elite training programs and interact with some of the greats of the game.
But Stokes says a major focus of the camp is personal development, and shaping the Indigenous leaders of tomorrow.
"A lot of Aboriginal kids growing up these days, identity is something they struggle with and being proud of who they are. So I think when they come together in these camps and are surrounded by other guys it gives them a bit of confidence."
Mervyn Bennell of Mandurah in Western Australia says it's a message that appeals to her.
Mervyn Bennell (second from left) amongst other participants Source: SBS
The 21-year-old has two brothers playing AFL football, but he says he hopes to be more influential from the sidelines.
"Being a leader to some of the Indigenous kids back home, I like putting kids on the right path. I never made my way down the right path so it's something I'd like to give forward."
