With players spread from Yarra Glen to Healesville the area took on a decidedly navy blue hue as Chris Judd and company dropped in to meet local students and chat about all things AFL.
No school was too small as the Blues went about their annual trip out into the community with Yering Primary School among the tiniest to be visited with just 30 enrolled students.
Dennis Armfield arrived at the school along with Marc Murphy, Bret Thornton and Setanta O'hAilpin just after lunch and they were given a warm reception.
"We're pretty lucky as AFL footballers and it's good to be able to give a bit back," Armfield says after a 45-minute question and answer session.
"But I get a lot out of this personally. You always meet a lot of good kids and you get a bit of an insight into how their lives have been affected.
"Like everyone we were all shocked by what happened and we all thought it was a great idea to come out here for our community camp. It really is a privilege to come out and spend some time with these kids who have done it pretty tough."
After an initial period of shyness the kids soon warm to the task and no subject is taboo.
"How much do you earn," asks one young lad.
"Would you rather play for someone else," adds another.
"Were you sad to see Brendan Fevola leave," one curious student inquired.
"You get some very left-field questions sometimes, but that adds to the day," Armfield says smiling.
"You hear some very funny things come out of kids' mouths and that's one of the best things about doing these visits."
Standing at 198cm, O'hAilpin towers over the group and he is a huge hit with the kids who take turns measuring themselves against the visiting Irish giant.
"I really enjoy having the opportunity to give these kids some of our time," O'hAilpin says as the players move between classrooms at the next stop on the tour at Yarra Glen Primary School.
"They all watch TV and can recognise some of the guys and to be able to bring a smile to their faces just by spending a bit of time with them is great.
"A lot of people's lives have changed forever since Black Saturday. Some have lost their homes or worse, family members, which is just tragic. To come here and give our time is such a small thing, but it allows us to show our appreciation for what they've gone through and if us being here brings a smile to a kid's face then that's great."
Later in the day the players converge on Healesville High School for a highly-successful super clinic followed by a fundraising dinner with proceeds going to aid junior football in the region.
Thursday sees the visits continue with the team also taking a private tour of the Kinglake Temporary Village before heading back to Melbourne to prepare for Friday's intra-club practice match.
