IT'S SOMETHING that undoubtedly plays on the mind of an AFL player as they progress through their career: What to do after footy?

Fortunately for Power leaders Tom Jonas and Hamish Hartlett, that time is a little way off yet.

But more than ever, the AFL Players Association and the league’s clubs provide career counselling, education and development opportunities to the game’s elite stars – ensuring they are primed to enter the non-football world once they leave the AFL.

Jonas and Hartlett have made their first foray into the business world through the new fast food outlet Poké Me in Gawler Place.

Poké (pronounced poh-kay) is a Japanese-Hawaiian fusion cuisine that is growing in popularity across Australia.

Developing a retail business that sells a healthy product was the drawcard for the pair, who have developed a rigorous understanding of nutrition through their time at Alberton, and have joined forces with the Poké Me founders to establish a shopfront in the CBD.

“I loved the product and felt it was a perfect fit for me and other elite sportspeople, given its high nutrition – vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates make it the perfect meal for in-season preparation, or off-season maintenance,” Jonas told portadelaidefc.com.au.

For the Power duo, becoming partners in Adelaide’s first Poké Me store (there’s already one in Melbourne) is an opportunity to develop skills away from football.

“While our focus is obviously on everything we do here at the club, It’s important to think about life after footy as well,” Hartlett said.

“Careers can be unpredictable in the AFL, and that’s why players can study and explore other self-development opportunities when not at the club.

“Being involved in Poké Me gives TJ and I a great chance to explore our interest in business, and the day-to-day workings of a small business.”

When not on the track, lifting in the gym or studying the ins and outs of the Power’s gameplan and upcoming opposition, players are given an afternoon of official personal development time during the week, as well as a prescribed day off as part of their contracts.

That’s given Jonas and Hartlett the perfect opportunity to balance the intense demands of football life with something away from the oval.

They’re even entertaining the idea of manning the counter at 92 Gawler Place.

“Our weeks are highly structured, so when we have development time and days off, Hammer and I have been able to look into ventures like this,” Jonas explains.

“It’s provided us with an interest outside of football, somewhere we can go, help out, maybe serve a few meals, and forget about footy life for a few hours.

“That’s important to us, and it keeps us fresh and focussed for the time we spend inside footy at the club.”

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