Delisted Port Adelaide defender Joel Garner is hoping for another opportunity at the elite level, after four years at Alberton.
Plucked from Eastern Ranges with pick 60 in the 2017 national draft, the medium defender broke through for four games in 2019, but hasn’t appeared for the Power since.
The 22-year-old faced an uphill battle to be selected in the back six, which featured 2020 All-Australian Darcy Byrne-Jones, and versatile defenders in Ryan Burton and Miles Bergman.
“To not get a go in a strong backline, in a strong team, that hurt,” Garner told SEN SA Breakfast.
"You have to play some games to get your name out there. I just think we were such a good side with a strong defence, and I couldn’t break into that defence.”
Garner could see the writing on the wall, with Trent McKenzie, Riley Bonner and ex-Lion Sam Mayes having soaked up the spare minutes behind the ball throughout the year.
“During the year I did feel like it was going to happen,” he admitted.
“Still, when you hear those words and have the conversation, it’s a little bit shocking. You always hang on to a bit of hope, so I was pretty shattered when Kenny and the boys told me.
“But it’s good to be home with family, and looking to do something better this year.”
The Victorian hopes to roll straight back into the system, with the first delisted free agency window to open on November 3, but hasn’t spoken with clubs.
“Hopefully I get picked up again, but I’m looking to play some VFL at this stage, play some good footy and get into the system that way,” he explained.
“There hasn’t (been much interest). I wish there was a little bit more, it would be a bit more exciting, but there hasn’t been much talk.
“I’ve nominated for the draft so we’ll just have to see what happens.”
Garner is yet to commit to a club in the second-tier competition, with his living arrangement to dictate where he lands.
“There have been a couple of conversations with a few clubs over here, so I’m just waiting to see what happens,” he continued.
“It’ll be someone close to me; I’m going to live out in the Yarra Valley back home with mum and dad, so I’m about an hour and 20 from the city.”
He did field interest from clubs at reserve level in South Australia, but said it was never a consideration.
“South Adelaide contacted (Port Adelaide SANFL manager) Shane Grimm at the club and he passed that on to me,” he revealed.
“But I was always going to come home. It got a bit upsetting at the end, and I just wanted to see family.
“I’m back here now, and we’re coming out of lockdown finally which is good.”
Garner was delisted along with Hamish Hartlett, Boyd Woodcock, Jarrod Lienert, Trent Burgoyne and Sam Mayes, though Port have committed to re-drafting the latter as a rookie.