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THAT same unnerving feeling he experienced as a junior is set to grip Jordan Schroder again as he waits to find out if his name will be called out in the upcoming drafts.
The 21-year-old is desperate to win a second AFL chance after being delisted by Geelong after four seasons on the Cats' list.
He is longing for an opportunity in November's NAB AFL Draft or the following rookie draft, after being passed up as a delisted free agent.
"It's just like being 17 again. I'm just hoping, and there's not much more I can do," Schroder told AFL.com.au.
After making his debut in 2012, Schroder played five senior games in his short stint at Kardinia Park.
He would have added to his tally last season had he not strained his calf at training the day before the round 10 clash against North Melbourne at Simonds Stadium.
Although he did not receive the senior opportunities he craved at Geelong, Schroder was an exceptional performer in the VFL.
The young midfielder, who regularly displays his smarts around goal, took out the Cats' VFL best and fairest award in 2014.
But his most prestigious honour came in 2013 when he won the J.J. Liston Trophy, alongside North Ballarat's Steve Clifton and Box Hill's Mitch Hallahan, as the VFL's best and fairest player.
Schroder, pick No.54 in the 2010 national draft, feels his Geelong apprenticeship has given him the necessary skills and mindset to make an immediate impact if another club is prepared to take him on.
The big-bodied midfielder excels in congestion and was regarded as one of the strongest players for his size at Geelong.
So much so he was given the nickname 'Brick' by his former teammates.
"You know what's expected of you now, so you're not so far behind the eight ball," Schroder said.
"I'm hoping I'll be able to join in straight away."
Should he not get picked up by a club in the impending drafts, Schroder is likely to sign on to play for Essendon's VFL side next year.
Even if a VFL stint eventuates, Schroder will use his time at the lower level in an attempt to re-launch his AFL career.
"I'm still hoping, but I know I've got to give it everything because if I do get picked up again, this is likely to be the last chance I get to prove myself," he said.
Being cut by the Cats was a tough end to a difficult 2014 for Schroder, but it pales in comparison to the struggles his father Tony has faced in recent times.
Tony Schroder had a series of minor strokes at the start of last year, impacting on his ability to communicate and initiate conversation.
When Jordan was coming through the Calder Cannons' ranks, the pair could often be seen deep in discussion after a match. Tony was always trying to help improve his son's game, offering tidbits of advice.
That feedback is not as forthcoming these days, but Jordan says his dad is travelling OK and says the experience taught him there were no guarantees in life.
A recent two-week family holiday to the United States gave the Schroders a chance to take a step back and catch their breath.
"He's (Tony) not doing too bad at the moment," Jordan said.
"You've just got to try and get on with things and I've tried to stay focussed on the footy side of things this year."
