NAB League 2019: Cody Hirst selected by Sydney in the AFL mid-season draft

Eastern Ranges small forward Cody Hirst has overcome a frustrating 12 months with injury to realise his AFL dream after being snapped up by Sydney in the mid-season draft.

Cody Hirst in action for Eastern Ranges. Picture: Quinn Rooney/AFL Media/Getty Images

It took until the last pick but Eastern Ranges small forward Cody Hirst is on an AFL list.

Sydney last night snapped up the lightly built 19-year-old with the final selection in the mid-season draft.

Hirst had an inkling the Swans were keen but thought he would be overlooked after they used their first pick on South Adelaide ruckman Michael Knoll.

The emotion for @Eastern_Ranges Cody Hirst in waiting to be selected by @sydneyswans with the last pick of the NAB AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft. @AFLcomau

(🎥 via agent @julzpetracca @hemispheremg) pic.twitter.com/azNdmxR3Qe

— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) May 28, 2019

Well, well, well!😆

August 2018 pics with Isaac Heeney
May 2019 now on the Swans list with Isaac Heeney! #ProudlySydney pic.twitter.com/I1d9SueaBe

— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) May 27, 2019

“I knew Sydney had interest but once they took the big fella (Knoll) at pick 4, I kind of didn’t really know what to expect,” Hirst said.

“I thought possibly Adelaide and then they passed and I thought that was it.

“I just thought the teams with two picks were going to pass but once (Sydney recruiting manager) Simon (Dalrymple) walked out, I had a little bit of hope and once he read my name out, it was just a bit overwhelming.”

Hirst was invited back to Eastern this year as an over-age player after his 2018 was ruined by injury.

Cody Hirst has been a standout at Eastern Ranges this year. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The Lilydale junior suffered shoulder and knee setbacks but received an invite to the Rookie Me combine, where he twice broke Stephen Hill’s record in the agility test.

He averaged 24 disposals, six marks and five tackles in his five NAB League games this year and has twice been named Eastern’s best player.

He is viewed as a project player at AFL level and said his “speed, agility and just that constant pressure” were his trademark qualities.

Hirst had little idea about the mid-season draft until manager Julian Petracca recently mentioned his name had “started popping up a little bit here and there”.

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He will join fellow Eastern products Jack Maibaum, Ryley Stoddart and Ryan Clarke in the Harbour City.

“At the start of the year, I didn’t really think too much of it. I was just worried about … getting my knee right so I could have a good pre-season and give myself the best opportunity to land on an AFL list at the end of this year,” he said.

“Leading up to Round 1, I think I did give myself the best opportunity and I think I put my best foot forward and played some pretty good footy.

“I honestly thought it was going to be towards the end of the year if it was to happen … I’m stoked and I can’t wait to get up there and get started.”

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