St Kilda’s latest crop of new players will embark on a first-year’s camp in Tasmania this weekend, with the group set to spend time at Captain Nick Riewoldt’s family home in Orford.

Prior to last year’s trip to the apple isle, previous editions of the camp had been held in Phillip Island, before Riewoldt seized the opportunity to provide the 2015 recruits with an intimate insight into what it means to wear the red, white and black.

St Kilda player development manager Tony Brown explained to saints.com.au the purpose of the camp was to strengthen relationships between the new players, the captain and Senior Coach Alan Richardson, as well as to provide the players with an insight into the club’s expectations.

“It’s more of a bonding weekend, where the captain and the coach come down and we get out on the boat and do a bit of fishing and swimming, have a barbeque, play beach cricket and then sit around the fire and ‘Rooey’ and ‘Richo’ talk about the expectations for the year and what it is to be a Saints player,” Brown said on Friday.

“It’s just about relationship building away from the club. It’s a terrific opportunity for the boys to form relationships and bond with each other, but also with the captain and the coach, which is pretty special.

“Nick’s done so much for the club and for the game, but he sees this as another opportunity to help foster the culture at the club from the first-years up.”

With Riewoldt closer to the end of his decorated career than the beginning, the six-time Trevor Barker Award winner has indicated his desire to continue the tradition once he finally calls time. 

“He’s also mentioned that he’s happy to continue this tradition once he’s finished playing, as well as getting some past captain’s involved in the future to provide new players to the club an insight into what it means to play for St Kilda and represent this club,” Brown said.