Maffra’s Sam Berry powers up for Draft Combine camp

Maffra teen Sam Berry is one of three Gippsland players in the 22 country Victoria boys picked for the state’s AFL Draft Combine. See the full list of 22 who are vying to make an AFL list.

Melbourne Grammar School Year 12 student Sam Berry plays U18 footy for Gippsland Power, and is one of three country players from Gippsland chosen to take part in Victoria's AFL Draft Combine. Picture: Supplied

DESPITE the fact his year of footy was completely railroaded by the pandemic, AFL-hopeful Sam Berry is ending 2020 on a high.

The 180cm midfielder from Maffra is one of three country players from Gippsland invited to the AFL Draft Combine.

“Taking part is very exciting; I think especially for us in Victoria,” said the 18-year-old.

“We haven’t had any games, unlike the other states.

“It is the only chance this year for us to prove ourselves.

“It is kind of the last little run for recruiters to see where you are at physically for the upcoming drafts.

“I’m definitely proud to represent Gippsland.”

Sam will join fellow Gippsland Power players Zach Reid and Ryan Angwin to represent their region.

For the Year 12 Melbourne Grammar School student, it will be a chance to show off how he has been maintaining fitness during lockdown.

Formerly called the Draft Camp, the Combine gathers prospective professional players together so scouts can size up their athletic prowess and skills heading into the draft.

A date for the Victorian Combine is yet to be set, due to coronavirus restrictions, but 46 players have been chosen to participate, with 22 from country clubs.

Sam plays for Gippsland Power and, since joining the Melbourne Grammar boarding house in Year 10, has also played for his school.

He said one of the hardest things to stomach about the disrupted academic year was the cancellation of the historic Cordner-Eggleston Cup.

Played annually since 1858, the footy clash between city boys’ schools Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College is usually a highlight of the year.

“School events, when you are in Year 12, they are twice as special,” Sam said. “It has been pretty disappointing.”

He said he was coping well with remote learning back home in Maffra, but missed Melbourne Grammar’s atmosphere of camaraderie and culture of sporting events.

“I found it a very comfortable environment,” Sam said.

“For anyone coming in, I would highly recommend the move. It gives you experiences that us rural kids would never really have had.”

While he is looking forward to the AFL draft, Sam said exam preparation was top of his priority list at the moment.

Melbourne Grammar School’s boarding house accommodates 120 boys in Years 7-12 from regional and rural communities and overseas.

General excellence scholarships for boarding students entering in 2021 are available, with applications closing this Sunday, September 27.

To find out more, visit mgs.vic.edu.au/boarding

FULL LIST OF COUNTRY VICTORIA PLAYERS INVITED TO THE STATE DRAFT COMBINE

Blake Reid (Geelong Falcons)

Cameron Fleeton (Geelong Falcons)

Charlie Ham (Geelong Falcons)

Charlie Lazzaro (Geelong Falcons)

Clayton Gay (Dandenong Stingrays)

Elijah Hollands (Murray Bushrangers)

Harry Sharp (Greater Western Victoria Rebels)

Henry Walsh (Geelong Falcons)

Jack Ginnivan (Bendigo Pioneers)

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Oakleigh Chargers)

Josh Treacy (Bendigo Pioneers)

Nick Stevens (Greater Western Victoria Rebels)

Noah Gribble (Geelong Falcons)

Oliver Henry (Geelong Falcons)

Ryan Angwin (Gippsland Power)

Sam Berry (Gippsland Power)

Seamus Mitchell (Bendigo Pioneers)

Tanner Bruhn (Geelong Falcons)

Will Bravo (Dandenong Stingrays)

Zach Reid (Gippsland Power)

Dominic Bendendo (Murray Bushrangers)

Zavier Maher (Murray Bushrangers)

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