Top South Australian draft prospect and top 10 bolter Sam Cumming says his boarding school experience has prepared him for a likely interstate move.

Cumming has surged into top 10 calculations after an impressive season. The explosive North Adelaide midfielder-forward, who models his game after Isaac Heeney, is highly regarded for how well-rounded his game is — a combination of class, power, speed, agility and competitiveness.

One talent watcher labelled Cumming “the prototype AFL midfielder.”

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Originally from Wentworth, a small town on the NSW border, Cumming has spent the last three years at Prince Alfred College, a boarding school in Adelaide.

The 18-year old could get drafted as early as Richmond’s Picks 3 and 4 but is more likely at Essendon’s Picks 5 and 6 or Melbourne’s Picks 7 and 8. He almost certainly won’t be on the board by Adelaide’s Pick 16.

But his boarding school experience has “built a fair bit of independence and resilience over the years” in an experience he “really enjoyed.”

It’s helped set up Cumming for whichever club he might land at later this month.

Sam Cumming is a top 10 draft bolter (Photo by Rob Lawson/AFL Photos)Source: Getty Images

“I think it holds me in good stead, because I’ve already made that move away from home,” Cumming told foxfooty.com.au.

“I don’t have to worry about getting homesick or anything. Definitely a change of environment would be something new and maybe a bit daunting to start with.

“But it definitely holds me in good stead.”

After dominant displays at SANFL Under 18s level, Cumming stepped up on the national stage.

He kicked four goals and averaged 17.0 disposals in SA’s championship-winning campaign to earn All-Australian honours, but his season was cut short by a shoulder injury.

Still, the 186cm player had shown enough as a potential top 10 pick.

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Footy runs in the family. Cumming developed his love for the game from his father, Glen ‘Ozzie’ Cumming, who played over 350 games for Wentworth and has been influential in Sam’s journey.

He also credited former Hawk and Swan Ben McGlynn, who coaches Wentworth, and ex-Western Bulldog and Bomber Mark Alvey, who coaches Mildura, as important mentors for him.

In fact, the “main reason” Cumming became a Hawks supporter was because McGlynn and former Hawks skipper Richie Vandenberg played for Wentworth.

“He’s been able to not only give me coaching insights into what I need to improve on, but also insights on what it’s like to be an AFL player,” Cumming said of McGlynn.

“The standards and professionalism. He’s giving me a real look into what it’s all about.

“He got his opportunity from a bit of luck but also a lot of hard work. Just being willing to sacrifice a lot to work hard and do what you really love is huge.”