It is not necessarily a rarity for players to seek guidance from others who have walked the same path before them, helping to develop their understanding of the rigours involved with Australian Rules Football.
It is, however, an uncommon phenomenon for the mentor providing counsel to be one of the greatest players the game has ever seen.
The situation is one that has befallen young Cats star Ollie Dempsey and his ever-growing connection with Gary Ablett Junior, the pair forming a strong bond over footy, faith and family.
Already firmly in the conversation as one of the competition's best wingers, Dempsey has noticeably spent plenty of time in the gym over the pre-season, looking to match his elite endurance and running prowess with strength around the contest.
The change has come as Dempsey looks to expand his skillset and experiment with different roles in the lead-up to the 2026 season, and there is nobody that can provide advice on playing through the midfield quite like 'The Little Master.'
"He actually has given advice, he has been really good," Dempsey said.
"I say that I don't often talk to him about footy, but when I do, he has a wealth of knowledge.
"I have touched on it with him, the footy side of things a bit more recently and it has been really good. Working on a few different things like spacing around the footy, it is obviously a bit different coming from the wing to inside.
"I have learned a bit off him which is really nice, and I will continue to do that as I go along in my career, which I am very blessed to be able to do."
Dempsey's last two seasons have been nothing short of extraordinary, going from a fringe player at the beginning of 2024 to a Rising Star winner and one of Geelong's most important players, all within the space of 18 months.
But despite his accomplishments on the field, the 23-year-old set tongues wagging around the competition with some pre-season images showing his progression heading into 2026, something that Dempsey said his teammates did not miss.
"I did see a few of those posts, a lot of the boys gave me a bit of smack about it which is funny as well," Dempsey said.
"I think it is always something, I am trying to get bigger and stronger, especially if I am going to play different positions.
"As long as I keep my running up, which I think I have, I felt like I have come back fitter than ever which is really nice.
"I just want to keep working towards that, keep getting bigger hopefully."
The Cats have been down in Warrnambool this week as part of their 2026 Community Camp.
Players have taken part in numerous activities including school visits, a super clinic and an open training session.
Once the team returns to Geelong, preparations will ramp up with the new season drawing ever so close.
The Cats' first match simulation is less than two weeks away, before their official practice match on the 25th of February and then all eyes will turn to Opening Round.
But before all that happens, Dempsey noted that the trip down the coast has provided a nice chance for the Cats to give back to the community and the club's loyal fans.
"It is so nice coming down here," Dempsey said.
"We often come down here, every year to Warrnambool and it is always a good community. We were greeted by a lot of good fans down here, so we love coming down here.
"We get to visit schools and do all of that, it is a good time of year."
