Corey Dell‘Olio’s recent upgrade off the rookie list has prompted him to open up about his early experiences at the club, and the difficulties he’s faced in being a rookie-listed player.

“Probably the toughest thing is I’ve been on the rookie list for three years, and been upgraded each year at different stages of the year,” Dell’Olio admitted.

“And when you’re not on the senior list, and you’re playing- and you’re not up for senior selection it’s pretty tough.

“Just knowing that you can’t play, that you’re not even in the frame to play is probably one of the toughest things you have to deal with.

“Last year was really tough when there were no opportunities at all.”

“The team was going so well, and watching them play you had mixed emotions, because it’s great to see them win, definitely, but not even a chance to be a part of it was pretty tough”

“It took a while to overcome and luckily enough I got a couple of games later in the year.”

The in form small forward originally hails from Western Australia where he was a star in the WAFL.

The 24-year-old admitted that football has never been his be all and end all in life.

“I’ve always loved footy- I still do love the game football.”

“Obviously everyone who is young, it’s their dream to play AFL football. But it wasn’t my number one goal in life that I had to play or I’d be nothing without it.”

“When I was 17-18 years old, I knew I wasn’t going to get drafted at that age of top talent. But I just continued playing league footy at that level at South Fremantle and enjoyed by time there with my mates.”

“Then it got pretty serious after a couple of years there, and ended up having a couple of good years, then probably half-way through the year I was drafted, I thought I’m half a chance to get drafted and luckily Essendon did pick me up.”

Dell’Olio has shown glimpse of his flair and skill as a crafty small forward, and obviously has been starved of opportunities being on the rookie list- playing just 11 games in three years with the Bombers.

Yet the second half of this season looks to be Dell’Olio’s best chance of establishing himself in the side after being promoted off the rookie list last week at the expense of Jobe Watson due to a lengthy lay off with injury.

“Now that I’m on the senior list- for pretty much the rest of the year- I’d love to play as many games as possible and try to cement myself in the team, or at least show that I’m capable of playing quality AFL footy.”

“But with some of the players we’ve got in there like Jason Winderlich, Chappy, and also Zach Merritt going so well- there is competitions for spots as that smaller forward.”

“So for the rest of the year I’ve got to try and go as well as I can at AFL level or if not at VFL level and try and show that my VFL footy is consistently very good and gives me an opportunity to play at that level (AFL).”