Jacob Hopper, Matt Kennedy, Harrison Himmelberg and Matt Flynn will all make their way to Sydney on Thursday morning for an introduction to the GWS Giants. 

By Friday they’ll have started pre-season, and have been warned to prepare for hell.

“It’s going to be hard, especially for a first-year player,” Kennedy said.

“Basically it’s going to be just train, eat and sleep.

“They’ve said it’s going to be a very mentally challenging pre-season.”

But this is what they’ve dreamed of and Hopper, who will forever be recognised now as a top-10 pick, said after a whirlwind week he can’t wait to turn his attention to the next goal.

“It’s been absolutely flat-out, but it’s been good,” Hopper said.

“Now it’s just about cracking down, doing all the right things.

“I want to play as soon as I possibly can so I need to iron out some kinks in my game and put my best foot forward.

“Probably increase my running capacity again, doing some more speed and endurance-type stuff so I can be a bit more consistent throughout the whole match.”

Hopper and Kennedy were in Adelaide for the draft but were heading home on Wednesday evening to pack their bags. 

Hopper will travel to Sydney with his old schoolmate, Narrandera ruckman Matt Flynn, who is still coming to terms with seeing his name read out on TV at home.

“I was pretty nervous… when my name was read out, I didn’t even register for a couple of seconds,” Flynn said.

He spoke for all four when describing what it was like to be setting out to fulfil a lifelong dream.

“I guess it’s pretty surreal – I’ve always wanted to do it but it’s hard to imagine.”

Flynn said he’s aware the hard work is only just beginning but he too knows what he wants to work on.

“I think definitely fitness is one thing that I’ll need to improve, and my body shape as well, getting a bit more muscle on me so I can compete,” he said.

“I just want to track into pre-season, and have a good year in the reserves in the NEAFL.

“You never know what happens but there’s a long way to go (to play AFL).”