Football can consume an AFL player's life and, as I have only recently discovered, finding a balance between thinking about footy and relaxing and pursuing outside interests is extremely important.

In a player’s first season, the AFL puts together a program called the AFL Apprenticeship, which helps youngsters gain important life skills.

Last year - my first at an AFL club - I completed the apprenticeship and got involved in the various work modules we had to complete, ranging from media training, first aid, coaching, research, oral presentations and leadership just to name a few.

After successfully completing the program and moving across to South Australia, I decided I wanted to pursue an interest away from footy to help me make the transition to the workforce in the event that things don’t work out on the field.

As you may have already figured, a real interest of mine is writing.

So recently, with the help of the AFL Players Association’s ‘Next Goal' program and the friendly and helpful staff at The Advertiser I started a 20-week work placement with the newspaper's sports journalists and editors.

Last Thursday, was my first day and despite the problem of finding suitable and cheap car parking I arrived at 9am ready to roll.

Slowly, but surely I got through the Occupational Health and Safety papers and was introduced to the people, who will show me the ropes over the next five months.

I was placed at a desk, given a computer password  and told to relax.

No matter what you expect from life,  there always seems to be a curve ball you don’t see coming your way.

I figured the scribes would be in at 9am either on the phones chasing breaking stories, at clubs interviewing players and coaches, or on the keyboard putting together the next day’s big article.

I found it surprising that the writers rolled in at different times, but as I was later told, a writer’s work hours can be quite abnormal.

The football writers for example get official news from the AFL at all times of the day.

Tribunal results on a Monday usually come out late afternoon.

And now on a Thursday - team announcement day -  teams aren't supplied to the media and public until 5.55pm SA time, so that Channel 7 in Melbourne gets the exclusive ins and outs, as part of the latest Broadcast Rights agreement.

So, as I continue to listen, learn and converse with the local sports writers, I will feel secure that I am gaining experience in the workforce whilst also furthering my life skills.

And hopefully, after a long and successful AFL career I can one day become a well-renowned sports journalist ... one can only hope!

Make sure you get down and support the boys this weekend in the SANFL as the Crows are playing on Sunday at the MCG.

Feel free to contact me and the Club on Twitter (@adelaide_fc / @joshjenkins24) or drop me an email at joshjenkinscrows@hotmail.com.

Until then, go the Crows!

Josh #20