On Tuesday afternoon, Shane Mumford, Jack Buckley, Matthew Buntine and Zac Sproule virtually met with students from both Milton and Merimbula Public Schools to discuss all the challenges they have faced over the past 18 months, including the bushfires, floods and coronavirus.

"It was certainly a different experience this year for both us and the kids, due to the online format and not actually getting to be there in person and kick a footy with them," Mumford said.

"But it was great we were still able to speak to the South Coast kids in some capacity and have some fun with them."

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During their 30-minute chat with the students, Mumford and his teammate introduced the program and explained why playing a sport, in particular Australian Football, is so important, before opening the floor to questions.

"Apart from putting smiles on the kids' faces, the biggest thing for us to encouraging kids to get out there and have a go at footy," the 201-game AFL veteran said.

"Last year, with a lot of the competitions not going ahead or being shortened because of COVID-19, kids didn't get the play as much footy as they would have liked.

"But it appears, if things continue to improve the way they are, competitions will go ahead in full this season, which is really exciting.

"Then with all the tough times a lot of them experienced with the natural disasters, footy gives them a chance to put that behind them and spend time with their mates - which is only going to benefit them and the sport moving forward."

The virtual chat with the students is only one part of the Giants' ongoing community camp throughout the year.

"It's great how our club and the AFL as a whole promote the game the way they do," he said.

"It's through programs like this, as well as other clinics, gala days and training sessions that we are able to continually grow the game.

"Our participation numbers, especially in the female game, have continued to grow lately and these programs are a large reason why that's the case.

"It's great, especially on the South Coast, to see so many females jumping in and playing our sport."

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Mumford and his Giants now turn their attentions to their 2021 season opener against St Kilda on Sunday, March 21.

"The boys are looking really good - we've had a massive pre-season," the 34-year-old said.

"To get out there on the weekend and have a proper hit-out against some competition (defeating Sydney 18.6-114 to 12.14-86) was unreal - after spending all pre-season going against one another.

"We've taken a lot of positives from the win against Sydney and can't wait to rip into round one against St Kilda."