Orren Stephenson is not giving up on his AFL dream despite being delisted by Geelong. Picture: Peter Ristevski Source: Geelong Advertiser
ORREN Stephenson is hopeful his AFL fairytale has another chapter left in it despite his departure from Geelong.
The mature-aged recruit played eight games this season with the 'Big O' becoming a crowd favourite, but the drafting of Hamish McIntosh meant his services are now no longer required.
Stephenson holds no grudge towards the Cats, but believes he will be a better AFL player next year.
"I understood that they thought the best thing for the footy club is to go for a guy who is younger and played some really good AFL footy," he said.
"That's the ebs and flow of it and you have to roll with the punches. They were certainly forthright with it so I understood where they were looking to go.
"But there is still an urge there (to play AFL).
"The biggest thing is that now I've got a little bit of experience and I know there is still improvement in me.
"Even though people will say, 'He's old, he's 30', I know I've definitely got more improvement in me so I'll see what pans out."
After playing in three consecutive VFL flags with North Ballarat, Stephenson was taken by the Cats with pick No.78 in last year's national draft to cover the retirement of Brad Ottens.
He made his AFL debut in Round 1 against Fremantle and played six games in the first half of the season before breaking back for two at the business end.
However, a broken hand suffered against West Coast in Round 20 was a blow.
Stephenson returned for the VFL finals series and led the Cats to the premiership, his fourth in five years.
"Twelve months ago if someone had said. 'You will play a season of AFL footy, win another VFL flag and improve your footy', I would never have believed them," he said.
"I've been very blessed, I've played Friday night footy on the 'G against Hawthorn and it was all very exciting times.
"The biggest thing I got out of it was that I certainly know I am capable of playing AFL footy.
"You used to sit back and wonder if I got that opportunity, would I go alright? Now, I know I'm capable."
Stephenson, a father of three, who works as a Telstra technician in Ballarat, has put his life on hold as he waits to see if opportunity comes knocking again.
"I've said to my employer, who has been terrificly supportive, that if the opportunity arises again I'm not going to say no," he said.
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