Seven NSW/ACT players to attend Combine

By Bronte Kerr

Earlier this week the AFL released a list of 76 players who have been chosen to attend the four-day testing this October.

Amongst the draft candidates are seven NSW/ACT players; Jock Cornell( Mangoplah-CUE), Matthew Flynn( Narrendera), Harrison Himmelberg( Eastlake/Mangoplah-CUE), Jacob Hopper( North Ballarat Rebels/Leeton-Whitton), Matthew Kennedy( Collinguille-GP), Callum Mills( North Shore) and Lachlan Tiziani( Murray Bushrangers/ Albury).

The Combine list was chosen by the AFL clubs, which each had to select 50 draft prospects they wanted to see attend the up and coming Combine.

In order to be invited to the Combine, a player must be nominated by five more AFL clubs.

The inclusion of 7 NSW/ACT boys in the Combine list is testament to the burgeoning talent pool coming from the NSW/ACT region.

NSW/ACT led the way for division two in terms of players picked; five draft prospects from QLD were selected, in addition to two players from NT and a further two from Tasmania.

Five of the seven NSW/ACT boys hail from the Riverina, a promising sign for a region that is home to some of our country’s sporting greats. 

Below is a brief on each of the players from NSW/ACT set to attend the combine.

1.     Jock Cornell

Cornell (Mangopah-CUE) turned heads during the RAMS National Championships campaign this July and was particularly instrumental in the side’s convincing Round 2 defeat of NT.

The midfielder was arguably one of the best on the ground for the RAMS in Round 2, slotting four goals and racking up 16 disposals for the winning side.

Cornell played as a permanent forward in his younger years, however has since developed into a utility type who can play in the midfield and then press forward when needed.

Cornell is the son of Julie Cornell, who is one of seven sisters to the Daniher brothers Terry, Neale, Chris and Anthony.

This makes Cornell the nephew of the four former Bombers, and also the cousin of young gun Joe, who has been paving a pathway towards AFL stardom in recent years.

If his family lineage is anything to go off, Cornell could be set to make waves in the footy world.

While his cousins and uncles may have all donned the Red and the Black, Cornell is a member of the Giants’ zone academy, giving them priority access to him this year if they choose to draft him.

2. Matthew Flynn

Joining Cornell at the combine is Matthew Flynn (Narrendera), a developing ruckman and another product of the GWS Academy.

Flynn approaches his football with a strong attitude, competing hard and demonstrating courage around contested football.

Flynn’s agility and movement around the contested footy should come as no real surprise, with the developing ruckman boasting a high level basketball background.

Flynn protects the ball drop well, allowing him to win the majority of the ruck contests around the ground, with potential for the ruckman to also play deep in the forward line.

3.     Harrison Himmelberg

Harrison Himmelberg will attend this year’s AFL national draft combine. Image: Melissa Adams

Since relocating to Canberra from Wagga at the start of the year, key position forward Harrison Himmelberg has emerged as Canberra’s best draft prospect.

Himmelberg moved to Canberra at the beginning of the year to join the NEAFL club Eastlake, after playing for Manogplah CUE in the Riverina Football League.

In 2014, Himmelberg broke his jaw in two places, an injury which would see the draft prospect sidelined for a total of 11 weeks.

Similar to GWS draftee Jack Steele, Himmelberg was able to play for the RAMS as an over- age player this year, after missing out on the RAMS 2014 campaign.

Sporting a blonde ponytail, it’s hard to miss Himmelberg in action, however his hairdo isn’t the only reason the forward has been catching the eyes of AFL recruiters.

The young gun is said to have modelled his game on GIANTS full forward Jeremy Cameron, with both Himmelberg and Cameron coming from a basketball background.

Himmelberg is highly regarded for his elite running and endurance ability, which is particularly remarkable given his height (192 cm).

4.    Jacob Hopper

Perhaps one of the highest regarded players from the current crop is Riverina product, Jacob Hopper.

The midfielder is in strong contention to become the GIANTS first round pick, despite battling persistent knee issues late last year.

Growing up in the country town of Leeton, NSW, Hopper has played for both the NSW/ACT RAMS and Ballarat’s St Patrick’s College.

Hopper missed much of last season battling both knee and hand injuries, however has impressed recruiters this year with his attack on the ball and composure around contested footy.

Hopper was named MVP for Division 2 of the National Championships after captaining the RAMS in their three National Championships games.

He was further rewarded for his outstanding Championships campaign with U18 All Australian selection.

Hopper put on a stunning display of football in the RAMS opening game, almost singlehandedly dragging the RAMS over the line in their narrow loss against Tasmania.

Hopper had an equally impressive second game in the RAMS win against NT, boasting 29 touches, ten clearances, four inside 50s and a goal.

 Midfielder Jacob Hopper in strong contention for the GIANTS first pick. Image: AFL Media.

5.     Matthew Kennedy

Yet another Riverina product, top 10 hopeful Matthew Kennedy is highly regarded as a hard running and poised midfielder, who has the ability to push forward and kick goals.

Kennedy missed this year’s National Championships with a knee injury and is likely to be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

In spite of this, Kennedy dominated for the RAMS during the TAC Cup earlier this year, boasting an average of 23 disposals.

Kennedy is also linked to the GWS Academy, providing them with first access to the highly touted draft prospect.

6.     Callum Mills

Highly touted midfielder, Callum Mills,  a likely contender for a top 10 pick. Image: AFL Media.

Midfielder Callum Mills is arguably one of the most exciting players to watch at this year’s Combine, widely touted as a potential top five draft pick.

The highly skilled midfielder has been sidelined for the majority of this season with a stress reaction in the shin.

In spite of his injury-hampered season, Mills has cemented himself amongst the top handful of this year’s draft crop on the back of a breakout National Championships campaign as a 17-year-old in 2014, and can be best described as a versatile, competitive and influential midfielder.

Similar to Cornell, footy runs in Mill’s blood; his grandfather, Ray Mills, played for the West Australian state side and in over 100 games for Perth.

Growing up in the Sydney’s northern beaches, Mills had a brief stint with AFL in the form of Auskick, before becoming more involved in rugby league.

He made the switch back at the age of 13, after a friend of his father convinced him to play a few games with the Mosman Swans juniors.

Mills hasn’t looked back since, training with the academy twice a week, and playing for the NSW/ACT Rams TAC Cup side.

7.     Lachlan Tiziani

Up and coming defender Lachlan Tiziani (Murray Bushrangers) has impressed AFL recruiters as a defender for the UWS GIANTS and is highly regarded for his foot skills and speed across the half back line.

Tiziani has been honing his defensive work in the NEAFL competition, in addition to playing a key role in the RAMS National Championships campaign.

Tiziani was a crucial player in the Championships both defensively and offensively across the half back line, handling the ball well and  showcasing elite leg speed.