Luckily, the lure of a jellybean overcame the two-year-old’s fears and he happily posed for pictures with his football hero.

Big brother Declan, 4, had no such qualms, perching on injured ruckman Majak Daw’s lap as he signed his treasured Sherrin and football jumper.

The Clark family are mad Waubra supporters in the Central Highlands Football League, so the brothers have also barracked for the Kangaroos since birth.

But, as mum Lisa explained, they get a bit confused between the two clubs.

“Whenever we go to North Melbourne games, they yell out ‘go Waubra’ and everyone around them laughs,” she said.

Click to view a photo gallery of the visit so far

Petrie and Daw were signing autographs on jumpers, footballs and caps at the post office as part of the Kangaroos’ fourth community camp in Ballarat.

And for Petrie, any chance to visit his hometown is one he jumps at.

“It’s more enjoyable for me doing things in Ballarat because I know a lot of faces and I feel like I’m giving back to the community,” he said.

Daw, who is an Australia Post ambassador, said meeting the young fans was one of the best parts of the community camp.

Meanwhile, Kangaroos’ Cameron Richardson, Lachlan Hansen and Robbie Tarrant were getting lessons in dragon boat racing from Ballarat’s Dragons Abreast members.

Dragons Abreast president Helen Burzacott said the trio was given instructions on how to paddle, emergency capsizing and racing starts.

“Basically, we showed them what we do when we go to a regatta,” Mrs Burzacott said.

“It was the first time we’ve hosted some Kangaroos players and we jumped at the opportunity.

“We get so much support from the community ... so it’s great to give a little back.”

Ballarat’s Cam Richardson said he was surprised by how hard dragon boat racing was.

“They are all very fit ladies. They outdid me,” he said.

Tarrant said he enjoyed the experience and learning more about Dragons Abreast.

“It’s a great community support service,” he said. “But we got a bit wet out there and I think we slowed the boat down a bit!”

Veteran defender Michael Firrito and first year player Tom Curran also took on about 15 school children from Learmonth, Windermere and Waubra primary schools in a bowls day at the Learmonth Bowls Club.