It’s not often players get second chances at AFL level, and it’s certainly no given they'll grasp them.

But when it comes to the newly re-signed Will Snelling, you can't help but marvel at one of the AFL's most recent successful career revivals.

Delisted in 2018 after three seasons at Port Adelaide, the South Australian could have easily given up on his resurrecting his AFL dream.

But after a stirring return to SANFL club West Adelaide, a second chance came when Snelling was selected at pick No.7 in the inaugural mid-season rookie draft by Essendon - the club he grew up barracking for.

Juggling a health and medical science degree with part-time work as a barista at the time, Snelling suddenly found himself packing his bags and heading off to Melbourne the next day.

And he's wasted no time since his arrival at Bomberland on May 28 last year, going from a rookie with potential to a mainstay in the Essendon line-up.

One of just five players to feature in all 17 of the Bombers' matches this season, the 23-year-old's consistent performances saw him finish ninth in the club's Crichton Medal count and earn a one-year contract extension.

He led the club for tackles (79), placed fourth for goal assists (six), fifth for total clearances (29) and sixth for total contested possessions (104) in a breakout season.

It’s a dream scenario Snelling now finds himself in, and a starkly different one to that at the end of 2018.

A captain and Most Valuable Player of South Australia’s NAB AFL U18 Championships side in 2015 and SANFL premiership player with West Adelaide in the same year, Snelling was initially recruited to Port Adelaide with pick No.10 in the 2016 rookie draft.

He made his debut for the Power in round 23, 2016 against Gold Coast, but it was his only appearance at senior level during his three years at Alberton Oval. 

Snelling still showed he had a clear talent for AFL football, however, producing a stellar SANFL season in 2018 to win the A.R. McLean Medal as Port Adelaide's reserves' best and fairest, and the Fos Williams Memorial Trophy as their most consistent performer.

Yet, Snelling was not offered a new contract and found himself back at West Adelaide, with a point to prove. 

After being delisted, he told portadelaidefc.com.au, “I’m pretty desperate to give it another crack. I’m still quite young, so I think I have a lot to give still in the AFL system."

It was a motivating factor which spurred Snelling to show his professionalism, talent and hard work, which resulted in a second chance with the Bombers.

Having appeared 22 times in the red and black, he can now lay claim to having played the equal highest games of anyone from the AFL’s first mid-season draft alongside Collingwood’s John Noble.

It’s an incredible achievement for the man affectionally known as 'Meatball', who is highly regarded by his teammates for his work ethic, and always one of the coaches' first picked.

Bombers fans will be hoping Snelling can continue his rise as the club strives for success in 2021.