Unable to trial for the NRL’s under 20s competition due to injury, the young halfback didn’t sulk. Instead he compiled a highlights DVD with the help of his techsavy younger brother and posted it to NRL clubs.

The Sydney Roosters liked what they saw.

Today he begins pre-season training with the Tricolours, a club whose senior stocks contain idols Mitchell Pearce and Anthony Minichiello.

On Friday he moved from the family home in Goulburn to a house with an elderly couple in Bondi Junction – a change organised by the Roosters.

By sundown tonight he’ll have undergone another change. The 18-year-old will no longer be the Goulburn Workers Bulldogs under 18s captain, but a Toyota Cup halfback eyeing a chance to make a name for himself.

He needn’t look too far for help.

“Obviously Mitchell Pearce and Anthony Minichiello, they’re people you look up to,” Cornish said.

“They work hard on their games… I can learn off them.”

Cornish has between now and Christmas to stake his claim for a starting role in 2013.

Should that eventuate, he won’t be the only Cornish wearing the number seven

in the NRL’s national youth competition.

Older brother Mitchell is captain and halfback of the Raiders under 20s team.

The younger of the siblings isn’t perturbed by the prospect of lining up his brother.

“I know he’s my brother, and I love him, but on the field that doesn’t matter,” Tyler said.

“I’ve got to do my job.”

If this season’s form is a fair indication, the Cornish brothers could yet square off in finals footballs.

The Roosters under 20s fell one match short of a grand final appearance. Mitch and the Raiders were beaten grand finalists.