TYLER Cornish has racked up plenty of frequent flyer points this season.
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And the Wodonga Raiders star hopes they translate to four points when his side takes on Myrtleford on Saturday.
With the Raiders needing to win their final two matches to guarantee a finals berth, Cornish knows he and his teammates must perform against the high-flying Saints.
But while Myrtleford will be the visitors at Birallee Park after making the 50-minute trek down from the hills, no one will have traveled further than Cornish to take his place on the field.
The rugged midfielder makes a 2800km return trip from the Gold Coast to line up for the Raiders each weekend, flying into Albury on a Friday before departing on a Sunday.
“When I first started it was a bit full on but you get used to the travel and you use it as a bit of relaxation time, a bit of time to yourself,” he said.
The 21-year-old’s decision to join the Raiders meant a reunion with coach Daryn Cresswell, who he first played under at Palm Beach Currumbin.
Cornish then spent three seasons at Southport, where he was a top-up player for the Gold Coast Suns in the NEAFL.
He played with the likes of Jaeger O’Meara and Jack Martin with the Suns and was coached by Norm Dare and Nathan Bock at Southport but Cornish couldn’t be happier with his decision to join the Raiders.
“‘Crezza’ is a very good coach, probably the best coach I’ve had, and it’s a very good standard of footy (in the Ovens and Murray),” he said.
“It’s very tough. It’s probably the toughest league I’ve played in as far as actual toughness goes.
“Blokes love having a crack and the skill level is good too, for a country league.
“A lot of players are up to a very good level of footy and it’s good to play against guys like that.
“It’s been really good, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and I’m really glad I made the decision to come down.”
The Raiders are glad, too.
Cornish would be close to leading their best and fairest and will go head-to-head with Myrtleford stars Brad Murray and Christian Burgess in the midfield on Saturday.
The Saints have also been bolstered by the return of former Carlton player Frazer Dale, in what could be an elimination final preview.
“It’s a big game, everything is on the line,” Cornish said.