Corowa's Ryan Eyers receives invitation to NAB AFL Draft Combine

Ryan Eyers can vouch for this after receiving the announcement that he had been invited to attend the NAB AFL Draft Combine.

In what has been a challenging few weeks for the Murray Bushranger, he admitted the news has provided some light at the end of the tunnel.

"I was at school when I got a call from Mick Wilson at the Bushies to let me know," he said.

"It was quite exciting given we've missed a fair bit of footy this year. It's great to get some good news."

The year 12 student at Wangaratta's Galen Catholic College has been thrown some curveballs this season, like many.

Residing in Corowa, Eyers moved in with his grandparents in Rutherglen before NSW went into lockdown, to enable him to be available for the Bushrangers.

"I got to training and was picked to play last week, then Victoria got thrown into lockdown," he said.

"My grandparents enjoyed it though, so it wasn't all for nothing.

"I got to see them for a week and could help them out at home.

"It's been stop-start all year, so it's been hard to get some fluency into your season.

"You get on a role and try to get some good footy in, and then you're shut down."

While his football commitments have taken a hit due to the pandemic, so too has his final year of high school, with online learning now the norm.

"It can be really hard to keep yourself motivated when you're at home," he said.

"You really have to be pretty organised and determined to keep yourself motivated.

"Some kids really struggle with it, but I've found it ok."

While he's committed to his studies, his ultimate goal is to break into the AFL.

"It's the same as most kids that play footy around this age, your dream is to play AFL," he said.

"Or if that doesn't work out, just to play at the highest level you can."

Eyers has played four games for Corowa-Rutherglen this season and has been enjoying opportunities in the forward line and ruck with the Bushrangers.

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He's also been taken under the wing of former Collingwood star Ben Reid, who has taken up a part-time coaching position with the Bushrangers.

"He (Reid) has been through all of the stuff you go through as a kid trying to achieve your dreams," Eyers said.

"With me being a taller forward played, he was a tall defender and then a tall forward.

"He's been able to help me with my craft and has been really good guiding me with what it's like at the highest level."

Eyers is one of five players to be invited to the combine from NSW-ACT.

Fellow Bushrangers Tom Brown of Mooroopna and Josh Rachele from Shepparton Swans have also received the draft combine call-up, with more likely to be announced in the coming weeks.

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