THERE have already been countless chapters in the Daniher family football story, and there might soon be another, except this one will come under a different name.

Jock Cornell is a tough, no-fuss teenager who can play at both ends of the ground and do it well.

He has a strong build, is eligible for next year's NAB AFL Draft, and is already linked to a club.

And no, it's not Essendon.

Cornell is the son of Julie Cornell, who is one of seven sisters to the Daniher brothers Terry, Neale, Chris and Anthony,

It makes the 17-year-old the nephew of the four former Bombers, and the cousin of current young star Joe, who is forging his own path in the big time.

On Saturday as a bottom-aged player, Cornell played for New South Wales/ACT against Tasmania in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

Fittingly, the game was played at Windy Hill, with uncles Terry and Chris among the family members there to watch in one of the few times they come together through the year.

"Before the game Chris gave me a ring and had a chat," Cornell told AFL.com.au.

"Since we're in Wagga and they're up in Melbourne, we obviously don't see each other heaps.

"Usually it's just at Christmas time, when we all meet up as a big family and catch up with what everyone's doing. We used to have Christmas at Grandma's place but it's getting a bit small, so we go to a bigger place in Melbourne now.

"There's usually not enough beds so some of us kids sleep on the floor, but that's all right."

While his pedigree is strong and famous at one of the competition's oldest clubs, living in the Riverina means Cornell is tied to the League's newest, Greater Western Sydney.

Cornell is a member of the Giants' zone academy, giving them priority access to him next year if they see him as a draftable player.

That hasn't changed where his heart lies, even though the club in which his family is so entrenched has no hold over him.

"I still support Essendon, especially with Joey down there and the family link. It's been really good watching him play this year, and he's been going well," he said.

"It doesn't really phase me [with GWS] – whatever happens happens. It's another year away so I'm not really worried about it at the moment."

Cornell is learning a new role during the Rams' three-game national carnival, being used in defence for the first time. At 185cm and 79kg he is versatile, having played in the midfield growing up in Ungarie in New South Wales, and progressing forward in the under-16 championships last year.

Mainly, Cornell is trying his best to take everything in.

"I haven't really played in the back line at all so it's been different. I actually don't mind it, it's not as much pressure as kicking goals up forward," he said.

"It's good to play this underage so you know what it's going to be like next year, so you can prepare for it. In the under-16s you might have had that extra second but in this you've got to be quick, you've got to be clean otherwise you'll be tackled. You've got to keep it moving."