It’s almost a story out of a comic book but Jason Porplyzia was able to revive his AFL ambitions despite one major career setback, writes Andrew Capel in the latest edition of the official club magazine “The Pride”.

JASON Porplyzia never game up on his dream of playing in the AFL.

Despite the pitfalls and being told he wasn't fit enough to play at the elite level, Porplyzia had a grand plan of what he wanted to achieve and he wasn't going to let it slip through his fingers without a fight.

After being dropped off Adelaide's rookie list after one season in 2003, it would have been easy for the 180cm on-baller to drop his bundle.

There are not too many players axed from AFL rookie lists who resurface. But Porplyzia is made of sterner stuff.

``It was pretty disappointing to be cut but I was still young,'' the 21-year-old said.

``A part of me never really thought it (his AFL career) was all over but at the time I did wonder if I ever would get another chance. I just knew I had to have another crack at it because I didn't want to die wondering.''

In something out of a Roy of the Rovers magazine, Porplyzia knuckled down and went to work - on his fitness.

A lack of endurance was what cost him his spot on the Crows playing list the first time.

``When I was delisted they said the big problem for me was my fitness,'' Porplyzia explained.

``For a small player I didn't have a big engine and I didn't have the endurance capacity to play at AFL level.

``I'm not a naturally-gifted athlete who can run all day and even at junior footy I remember being at the back of the group. I wasn't up to scratch and I knew it.

``It was never a case of not putting in the effort or having an attitude problem, I just need to work harder on my fitness than most blokes.''

After two good years with SANFL club West Adelaide which saw him win the club's best and fairest in 2005 and make The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year in the same season, Porplyzia decided it was make or break time.

Buoyed by 10-times Port Adelaide Magpies premiership coach John Cahill describing him as an ``exceptional talent'' and the most underrated player in the SANFL - ``for him to say that about me was a massive boost for my confidence and put my name out there,'' the discarded Crow hit the gym and the pavement to change his body shape and improve his endurance and speed.

``As soon as the season ended (in August for the Bloods) I really put some work in,'' the quietly spoken and extremely modest Porplyzia said.

``I had come off a pretty good year and viewed it as probably my last chance to get back into the AFL. There had been a big question mark over my fitness so I knew I had to get fitter.''

The night before the pre-season and rookie drafts, Porplyzia got a call he fondly remembers from Fantasia, indicating they could draft him if he was still available when their pick came along at No. 9.

The following day, Porplyzia conducted his first press conference when he was introduced as an Adelaide player. `I couldn't believe it when the Crows drafted me. It's fair to say I was ecstatic, very, very happy and relieved,'' he said.

``If I was going to get drafted I didn't think it would be by Adelaide. I thought the Crows would be the last club I would go to, that they wouldn't look at me again.''

Read the full story in “The Pride”.