ONE BY one, Tom Rockliff picked up the phone and called all of Port Adelaide's draftees.
This was even before the former Brisbane Lions skipper had laced up a boot for his new club.
Rockliff reached out to ruckman Sam Hayes and midfielders Kane Farrell, Jake Patmore and Joel Garner as they started their journey as AFL footballers, while it was a second chance for mature-age Dom Barry after previously playing for Melbourne.
"It's a daunting time for the draftees," Rockliff said.
"I made a point of it on Friday night to make sure I called them all, because you never forget that phone call, from especially senior players.
"I remember mine like it was yesterday.
"(Former Lion) Luke Power called me when I first got drafted.
"It just makes you feel a little bit more comfortable when walking through the doors."
Rockliff said it was something he always did during his time with the Lions, a club he captained in 2015-16.
"It is important, especially as an 18-year-old, that you have that connection to the club, because it makes it a lot easier when you walk through the doors, you have a face you can immediately talk to, so that first barrier is already broken down," Rockliff said.
"For them, there's so much spinning through their heads.
"Two, three days ago, they were at home with their parents and now most of them have moved interstate and it's all just a whirlwind for them.
"They'll settle in, it'll take a little bit of an adjustment, but they all seem like good, young men."
Rockliff trained with his Power teammates for the first time on Monday after joining the club on a four-year deal as a free agent.
He is on a modified program until after the Christmas break as he recovers from a shoulder operation.
Rockliff's leadership and experience will be a huge benefit to the Power's young midfielders.
Strongly-built Sam Powell-Pepper is coming off an outstanding rookie season where he finished third in the NAB Rising Star award.
"I ran into him at a café last Thursday, just by chance, and could not believe how big he was," Rockliff said.
"Being out there up against him, he's very powerful and very strong in the contest.
"He's a special talent."
Rockliff has played the majority of his senior football as an inside midfielder, racking up lots of touches and becoming a favourite for fantasy football coaches.
But with the Power well served in that department, Rockliff is prepared to go back to his junior days and wreak havoc in the forward line.
"I spent all my junior footy as a forward then went into the midfield up at Brisbane," he said.
"The ability to play in those two positions, AFL footy these days, you've got to have flexibility.
"I think it's really exciting the forward line we could have with Jack Watts and Steven Motlop, and Charlie (Dixon) had an outstanding season this year.
"It's about adapting and fitting into the team system as best I can."
