The AFL draft hopeful ramped up his board-riding efforts when competitive football fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Herbert, who is tied to both Greater Western Victoria Rebels and South Warrnambool, said he was using the extreme sports to help improve his fitness base.

"It's been good fun to get back to doing them," he said.

"With no footy on I've been able to get in the swing of them which is good."

A home gym and basketball court are also contributing to his efforts.

"Having the gym has helped me heaps, with gyms obviously closed," Herbert said.

"I guess you get bored pretty quickly (in stage three restrictions) so it's good to be able to go and have a session or go for a run.

"It's been good to play a bit of basketball at home as well and put some time into new hobbies and the fitness."

Herbert played just one match for South Warrnambool when the Hampden league junior season launched on July 17. The junior season was cancelled after two rounds due to coronavirus.

The 18-year-old was also set to don Rebels colours for NAB League action but the AFL abandoned the under-18 competition when stage three restrictions were re-introduced in regional Victoria.

"It's been a bit hard with it being a bit off and on again this year," Herbert said.

"You'd start to get fit and strong and then something else would come in and stop the season which made it hard to stay motivated in that sense.

"Hopefully we get a bit of consistency and can see what next year will bring."

Herbert is hopeful a club will swoop in the upcoming AFL draft.

"It's a tough one. You sort of have no idea but at the same time you're hopeful," he said.

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"I'm hopeful but (if it doesn't happen this year), there's a chance for next year.

"(Playing AFL) is the ultimate goal but the NAB League has been changed to under 19s now so hopefully I can get a gig there again (if I'm not drafted this year) and go from there. I'd just like to take footy as far as I can."

In the meantime, Herbert wants to build his aerobic capacity.

"Definitely my endurance and speed, those are two things I want to improve," he told The Standard.

"The running side of things is something I want to get up. I've been doing a bit of speed work and going on a few runs." But for now, VCE studies are taking centre stage.

"It's probably the biggest grind at the moment. With no footy this year, all of my focus and energy is going to school," he said.

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