Geelong premiership forward James Podsiadly has no regrets despite forging his AFL career in a unique way.
Podsiadly first had his taste of an AFL environment in 1999 when he was drafted as a rookie by Essendon but would not play at the top level until 2010.
After being delisted by the Bombers, Podsiadly was drafted by Collingwood in 2002 before being cut without playing a game.
The majority of the next decade saw him play for Werribee between 2003 and 2008, but things truly changed for Podsiadly in 2009 when he joined Geelong’s VFL side.
A strong campaign in the state-league saw him win the club’s VFL best and fairest award and leading goalkicker, with his 68 goals enough to convince the Cats to take a punt on him as a mature-age rookie.
While Podsiadly was an immediate success, earning 13 Brownlow votes in his first AFL season in 2010, the key forward doesn’t regret spending as long as he did in the tier below.
“My journey was a long one,” Podsiadly said on SEN’s This Is Your Journey – thanks to Tobin Brothers.
“There was obviously some frustrating times in it when I selfishly thought I was probably ready for a chance.
“But looking back at it, those 10 or so years at that second-tier level actually probably made me as a player and made me as a person too.
“I reflect back on that time and actually feel very fortunate that I got an opportunity at 28 in the end.”
The crowning moment of Podsiadly’s AFL career came in 2011 as a member of Geelong’s premiership side.
Despite being substituted out of the decider in the second quarter, Podsiadly played a huge role in the flag journey as he booted 52 goals in the premiership-winning campaign.
He ended up playing 104 AFL games with 21 of those coming with Adelaide in 2014.