Shaun McKernan isn’t one to take things for granted.

After 34 games over six years at Adelaide, he was delisted at the end of last season.

But the Bombers gave McKernan the second chance he needed, drafting him with pick 12 in the Rookie Draft.

“Coming here at the start of the year and being on the Rookie list, I wasn’t really sure which way that would pan out,” McKernan said.

With the rookie list restrictions, McKernan was made to cut his teeth in the VFL at the beginning of the season.

Still, McKernan relished the challenge, knowing his chance at AFL would only come again through sheer hard work and determination.

“I enjoyed playing VFL, which helped a bit,” he said.

“I got to know everyone and was able to work my way up.”

The versatile ruckman finally got a taste of the big stage again in Round Seven when he was given the opportunity to debut for the Bombers.

From that birth, he went on to register a total of nine games for the year- the most he’s achieved since 2011.

McKernan gave fans a glimpse of his best, finishing the year strongly. He averaged 21.7 disposals in his final three games, including booting a total five goals in the span.

“I think the way I played I’ll take a lot of confidence out of it and heading into next year it will be good,” McKernan said.

“It was good to get a bit of that AFL exposure.”

With the opportunity to be upgraded off the rookie list on the horizon, McKernan knows he has several things to work on over the off-season to cement a spot in the side next season.

“Probably the main thing is being competitive for longer and staying in the game for as long as I can. Even again next year, I’ll be looking to improve on those two things,” he said.

“I’ll get my fitness level up to a really good standard, even at an elite level, and that will help me to do that more so.”