Former Sydney midfielder James Bell thought his AFL dream was dead and buried after he was delisted at the end of 2022.
After three impressive years at Glenelg in the SANFL, Bell began garnering interest from the AFL and a random phone call from GWS list boss Adrian Caruso revived his dream.
However, the call wasn't about his own top-flight prospects, but about exciting draft fancy Latrelle Pickett, who was dominating for the Tigers in the South Australian state league.
"They actually spoke to me about another player at Glenelg (Latrelle Pickett), and then just threw a question at the end of talking and said 'what are you doing with your footy', and I said, 'funny enough, I actually wanted to put my name out there'," Bell told Zero Hanger.
"Then (GWS) offered me an AFL training opportunity and play VFL."
Bell, who is now with GWS' VFL side, was also in discussions with another AFL club at the end of last year, which ultimately fell through.
"I spoke to one club at the end of last year, and I thought it could be happening," Bell continued.
"When that fell through in the rookie draft, I spoke to (Adrian) Caruso (GWS recruiter) and asked is there an opportunity at the Giants for me?
"Their list at the moment is full, but we'll give you an opportunity to train in the pre-season and play with the VFL and just see how that goes. Anything can happen
"Since, I've gotten really close with some of the AFL guys and I'm just looking to earn the respect of everyone here, stay grounded, and do this for me, because I felt when I was playing at the Swans was for everyone else, but now I'm investing in myself that's the way to go about it."
Bell entered the AFL via the Swans' academy ahead of 2018 after opting to pursue football as a career instead of soccer. He was linked to A-League club, Western Sydney Wanderers, during his teenage years.
Signed as a Category B rookie, Bell knew he had the talent, but growing up in Wollongong in a family who hadn't been exposed to the high-level sports realm, it was a big adjustment.
"I hadn't had anyone in my family play professional sport, so it was kinda new to me. All I knew was I had some talent to get to that stage but actually being in that environment, I felt like I didn't maximise (my time) or understand how big the opportunity was to make a career out of it," Bell explained.
"I learned some things when it was probably too late. Before you know it, you blink and five years goes like that."
After 28 games, it was a "shock" to Bell when he learned of his delisting.
"It was a bit of a shock really with how quick the whole five years went," he added.
"Doing the little things all stack up, and consistency is the key in making some better choices around my diet, my sleep and recovery.
"I've been emphasising to myself, to click me back into gear, just how bad do I want this now? I had a taste of it early days at the Swans but now that I've got a real understanding of how life works away from the footy environment.
"I didn't feel myself being present in the moment, I felt like I had a lot of navigating through the professional environment. I didn't apply myself in the off-season programs due to not understanding how important it is to come back in good shape. I didn't progress the way I knew I could, but I didn't show it. I always came back (from the pre-season) a pace or two behind everyone.
"When I thought it was time for off-season, I thought that meant it was completely off season, not actually applying myself here and there, staying on top of my fitness and my skills.
"There's no one to blame but myself."
The former Swan dealt with personal issues, losing family members as well as lots of anger, while flickering in the background was an identity crisis issue that hit fever-pitch when his AFL journey came to a close.
"Trust is big and being in a big family, I took on a lot of responsibility in trying to be a provider and do everything for everyone else rather than doing things for me that will benefit me. I didn't put myself first. I felt like I was always trying to make everyone around me happy.
"If I learnt that earlier on (things could've been different). Just not having that abandonment of turning my back on my family, but just understanding I need to protect my space in my journey.
"Once I got delisted I knew it was going to be a crossroads for me.
"I wasn't prepared. I knew deep down this isn't it for me. I have more to give but I don't know how to apply it.
"I didn't want to go back home because I thought... I used to be dealing with a fair bit of anger and I was pretty emotional person, so I didn't think through anyone. I just based it off initial fight-or-flight responses.
"When I'm back home, it's not intentional, but when family attach a lifestyle that you're James Bell the footy player, 'this is my nephew, James Bell, a player for the Swans' things like that. But once I got delisted, I had a bit of an identity crisis where I didn't know who even is James Bell.
"If he's not playing in the top AFL system, who is James Bell? I struggled big-time mentally with that because I didn't study, I had nothing to fall back onto."
Enter Glenelg, the SANFL football club that reinvigorated Bell's drive back to the AFL.
The former Swan, in search of a fresh start, in a bid to protect his space, packed his bags and headed for South Australia, alongside teammate Toby Pink, who now plays at North Melbourne.
Bell took a job at the NDIS; an organisation that provides funding to people with disability to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs and seek an improvement in quality of life. He also juggled working at a school as well as state-league football.
He couch surfed throughout 2023, taking the learnings from Tigers teammates who balance the serious commitment of their work as well as the rigours of SANFL football.
"The first year was a bit of a learning curve because it's the real world now. I got to work and manage not being on the same money as I was playing AFL and paying off a mortgage and still keep the dream alive of returning to the AFL," Bell said.
"The first year was the toughest. Second year, I had the club back me in, and I fully trusted the club with my mental health and kept an open dialogue, and they helped navigate me through that.
"I had some dark days for sure, when I was over there but I managed to get through all that. I was pretty clear in my objective to get over there, play in a good competition and see if I can fulfil my dream of getting back into the AFL.
"It's a cliche but once it's gone, you do everything to get it back.
"I've got so many tools from outside of footy that are helping me play better footy so I love that part of the lifestyle. When I was working over there, I was enjoying my work, I was getting accolades at work, which meant I had an identity outside of footy.
"I loved it over in Adelaide and the Glenelg footy club. I feel like they've brought the man out in me pretty quickly."
Now Bell's on his own redemption path to the AFL, believing he has plenty more to give.
The top-flight competition has seen plenty of second chances turn into success stories.
Ben Keays and Patrick Voss were notable delistees, but have forged a handy career at Adelaide and Fremantle.
Toby Pink, who is close with Bell, resurrected his football to become one of the competition's best defensive stoppers for North Melbourne.
Tyson Stengle turned around off-field issues at Richmond and Adelaide to become a premiership player and All-Australian with Geelong.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is currently working his way back at Gold Coast after a 2025 campaign spent on the sidelines due to personal reasons.
Second chances exist. They're out there. The question is: Will Bell receive his?
