Jack Watkins, despite being overlooked twice by Port Adelaide, persevered with strong state-league form and has finally earned a rookie spot on the club's AFL list.
"It was actually pretty hard (to overcome the SSP disappointment). You think if not now, why would they ever in the future? That was tough," Watkins told AFL.com.au.
"I just tried to play my best footy and see if any other clubs were interested. I wasn't really thinking it would happen at Port after auditioning and not getting the spot. Either way I was going to play the best I could in the SANFL.
"You do lose a little bit of hope every year that goes by. You get to 20, 21, 22 you think, 'Oh I'm still young'. Then at 24 you think shit I just missed out on that one, don't think another opportunity like that will come again. I did think it was a long shot after that. I just went into the year that I was going to play as well as I could. It worked out."