Jacob Wehr had almost had enough.

After two years in the Woodville-West Torrens reserves – and being dropped from that side in 2019 – he wasn’t sure whether to go on, or go back home to play country footy.

At the urging of his father, the 22-year-old decided to give the SANFL one more go. And with the encouragement of new Eagles coach Jade Sheedy, Wehr moved from the wing to the backline, started to believe in what he could do, won a premiership and got drafted.

Wehr had to wait until the very last selection in last year’s draft – No. 59 - to hear his name called, and tells his story in the latest episode of Becoming GIANT.

The second season of the podcast, presented by Bingo Industries, is an introduction to the six players the club picked up in last year’s national and rookie drafts.

“With Sheeds coming to the club everyone started on a clean slate, and in conversations with people at Woodville, and dad, and things like that, they all pushed me to go again and that’s probably the best decision I’ve made,” Wehr said.

“With Sheeds, he backed in a lot of young kids and probably simplified the game for us, just for us to back ourselves in and play on instinct.

“He showed a lot of belief in myself and obviously his coaching and support produced some of the best footy I’ve played and the most enjoyable season I’ve had to date.

“I’m very thankful I stuck it out and it’s probably led to where we are today.”

Wehr was working with friends as a painter – and in his second year of studying primary school teaching – when he had to pack everything up and make his way to Sydney.

His kick and bounce off half-back were things the and coming in as a mature-age player he is balancing his desire to make things happen as quickly as possible with

“It’s great to be surrounded by 40 other blokes who are working towards the same thing,” he said.

“One thing I’ve found with the backline group is that everyone just wants to help. I’ve already learnt so much off the senior boys, whether that be Phil (Davis) or Nick (Haynes and people like that.

“I’m trying to get in and show what I’m capable of, but also learn at the same time. It’s just great fun really.”