Talented youngster Ryan Eyers has been selected to attend the NAB AFL Draft Combine which is scheduled for September 29 and 30 in Melbourne.
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“Hopefully it will proceed but we’ll have to wait and see because of COVID and the subsequent national draft could get pushed out,” Murray Bushrangers talent manager Mick Wilson told The Free Press.
“What’s unique about this draft combine is that only 60 players throughout Australia are chosen – that’s significant.
Then there’s one state combine with another 60.”
Wilson spoke in glowing terms about the ability of the tall, four-senior game Corowa Rutherglen youngster.
“Ryan’s skill set is very strong for a player of his size,” he said.
“His skills at ground level below his knees are very good and his ruck craft is elite - he gets the ball into the right areas for his teammates.
“One of Ryan’s qualities is his strength of character – he’s a ripper kid with great parents in Linda and Brendan. Ryan’s been doing quite a bit of work with Ben Reid (retired Collingwood star and current Wang Magpies forward) in Wangaratta. There have been early morning sessions with Ben – there’s a lot to like about Ryan. There have been early morning sessions with Ben – there’s a lot to like about Ryan.”
Wilson will not be surprised if Ryan has an AFL team before much longer, expecting him to be picked up in the draft whenever that occurs.
That early morning training from about 7.00am to 8.00am with Ben Reid has been very much appreciated by Ryan who turned 18-years-of-age in April.
“Having someone who’s been through the draft and played at the highest level, and played a similar position to myself is so valuable. He’s got all the experience,” Ryan told The Free Press.
“He’s been at the ‘Bushies’ since the start of the season and the extra morning sessions with me in the gym and more training before school is great.”
Apart from his strong desire to pursue whatever in the football world, Ryan does have an interest in pursuing tertiary studies after this Year 12 studies at Galen Catholic College which currently is via on-line studies.
“Next year could be a gap year for me but there could be sports science or radiography or physical therapy like my brother (Jordan) is studying in Geelong at Deakin University,” he said.
When asked how Year 12’s going with this Covid pandemic, Ryan said: “We’ve been on-line for a fair while. I’ve found it alright so far. You do miss your teacher face-to-face contact.”
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