Mick Malthouse couldn’t resist The Recruit

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, Olympian Stephanie Rice and a host of AFL names joined 14 of FOX8’s aspiring footballers for the launch of The Recruit last night in Melbourne.

The event at Etihad Stadium featured the show’s coach Mick Malthouse, Assistant Coach Ben Dixon, High Performance Coach Darren Burgess and Mind Coach Leigh Russell.

Mick Malthouse said he tried to not to get close to the players, who are eliminated week by week.

“Well that rubbed off on about Day 2 because they’re not players, they’re not numbers or recruits,” he said. “They’re people. When you deal with people you’re dealing with idiosyncrasies that are all different. Some have strengths that others haven’t. Some have personalities, and some haven’t. But they’ve all got a uniqueness, and that will make the show.

“I would love to have gone through to week 10 and said ‘I can’t get rid of anyone.'”

Gillon McLachlan described the show as a bridge between the AFL elite and the AFL community.

“It was such a huge success in 2014, the number 1 programme on FOX8 for the year and we hope it’s equally successful,” he said.

McLachlan also noted the diversity amongst the players was a reflection of 2016.

“Shylo, Jayden, Rhett and Jay Jay, there are some interesting names in there. Good luck to all of you guys and hopefully the best player wins. It really is an opportunity and I hope you take advantage of it.”

The Recruit premieres Wednesday July 20 at 8.30pm on FOX8.