James Polkinghorne says he will leave ‘no stone unturned’ in his quest to make the most of his second opportunity at AFL level. 

The former Brisbane Lions player will join fellow new recruits Ryan Crowley, James Kelly, Jonathan Simpkin, Matthew Dea and Mathew Stokes on the Bombers list this season.

Polkinghorne played 94 games with the Lions and said that experience provided extra motivation. 

“I’ve really got that determination and that chip on my shoulder,” he said. 

“Things didn’t end the way I wanted in Brisbane, but I’m back in Melbourne where I wanted to be and at a great Club with a proud history. 

“For me, there will be no stone left unturned to getting the maximum out of myself and my teammates.”

Polkinghorne spent last season playing in Essendon’s VFL side. 

He averaged 20 possessions and kicked 14 goals during the home and away season, but then increased his output further during the finals picking up 22 touches per game and booting six goals. 

“I loved my time here in the VFL last year so to continue on in a full time basis is really good,” he said. 

“The good thing about the VFL program is it replicates the senior program, so a lot of the coaches that were involved in the VFL are involved at senior level – the messaging is the same.

“The transition has been fine.  I know most of the guys, a lot of the coaches so it’s been pretty seamless really.” 

Polkinghorne kicked 53 goals during his time with the Lions.

His role changed when he moved to the Essendon VFL side last year and that’s where he sees himself playing his best football in 2016.

“In the VFL last year I really enjoyed the ‘inside-mid’ and pinch hitting forward,” he said.

“It was probably the other way around in my time at Brisbane.  I spent a lot more time forward but the ‘inside-mid’ getting it out to the silky players is what I like to do.”