The 17-year-old South Warrnambool player and fellow Hampden league product Jarrod Korewha, from Koroit, were part of the AFL Academy level two squad that spent two weeks at a high-performance training camp in Florida and Los Angeles .

The players spent eight days training at the IMG Academy – which included intensive football sessions, swimming and pilates – before heading to Santa Monica for some lighter training.

“They’re trying to set a pretty high standard,” McCluggage said.

“(It showed me) how professional you have to be at all times, you have to be switched on not just when you’re training, but doing all the other little things like swimming sessions and pilates.”

Although he is still part of the rehabilitation group as he overcomes bone stress to his lower back, McCluggage said he was back running and kicking, with an eye to resume full training in the next two-to-four weeks.

Korewha was in awe of the quality of facilities the players used.

“It was unreal. (The academy) was just so big, it just facilitates so many sports,” he said.

“The facilities were top class and it really inspired you to be a professional athlete.”

The players were also able to take in some tourist activities, heading to Disneyland, as well as attending NBA and ice hockey matches.