In a promising sign that Riverina could be in for their biggest Draft year yet, five footballers will represent the region at what used to be known as the AFL Draft Camp.

Leeton-Whitton’s Jacob Hopper, Collingullie-Glenfield Park’s Matt Kennedy, Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes’ (MCUE) Jock Cornell, Narrandera’s Matt Flynn and former MCUE player Harry Himmelberg all received invites.

Himmelberg now plays with Eastlake in Canberra.

The AFL released the names of 76 players picked to attend the four-day testing event at Etihad Stadium in October.

Players must be picked by a minimum of five AFL clubs to gain an invite to the Combine.

AFL NSW-ACT talent, logistics and events manager Rebecca McGowan said it was a terrific effort by Southern NSW, which also includes Albury’s Lachlan Tiziani.

“It’s our best ever for Southern NSW,” McGowan said.

“It’s exciting for the boys to get that opportunity and hopefully we can have another group get to the state screening.

“This year, having the satellite centres for the Academies in Wagga, Canberra and Sydney, the kids have been able to have access to constant coaching.”

This year's draft combine will again run the week after the AFL grand final, but the opening day has been shifted from Tuesday to Thursday, October 8, with the combine to conclude on Sunday, October 11.

In another big effort, three of the five Riverina footballers are either students or ex-students from Wagga’s Mater Dei Catholic College.