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NICK Rippon would book his return trip home from New Zealand in a heartbeat if it meant an opportunity at Essendon as one of the club's 10 top-up players.
The 22-year-old North Ballarat midfielder is holidaying across the Tasman with girlfriend Nicola until January 18, but if the Bombers approached him there would be little doubt that he would be cancelling his travel plans.
"I'm ready to fly out today if the Bombers give me a call," Rippon told AFL.com.au from New Zealand.
Rippon won last year's J.J. Liston Trophy as the best and fairest player in the VFL, ahead of AFL-calibre players including former Richmond midfielder Matt Thomas and ex-St Kilda onballer Clint Jones.
The 176cm midfielder averaged 24 disposals in 18 matches for the Roosters last season, following his Liston Trophy win with 28 touches and four goals in the final match of the season.
"It's (an AFL opportunity) something I've been working so hard towards for the last four years or so," Rippon said.
"Any chance that I can get to put my name up in lights, I'm going to try to do it.
"They are unfortunate circumstances but it would be a great opportunity, and I want everyone to know that I want that opportunity."
The Bombers are now waiting on the AFL to decide the rules relating to contracting the 10 top-up players allowed to them after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling that saw 12 players handed season-long bans for taking banned substance Thymosin Beta-4.
With the loss of midfielders Jobe Watson, David Myers, Heath Hocking, Dyson Heppell, Brent Stanton and Travis Colyer set to hit hard, Rippon could be a suitable replacement.
He draws inspiration from Richmond pair Kane Lambert and Adam Marcon who have both followed similar paths, first missing the draft and then presenting themselves as capable AFL players through the VFL.
"Being in a full-time AFL environment is something I'm missing out on, and that would help me develop those areas that I need to iron out," Rippon, an apprentice plumber, said.
"To get an opportunity on an AFL list is something I've been trying so hard for over the last few years and I believe if I do get that opportunity I can thrive in the environment."
As an 18-year-old Rippon met with Essendon before the 2012 draft.
Although nothing eventuated, Rippon kept the recruiters' contact numbers handy and after hearing the news on Tuesday he has already made his interest known to some of them.
"I'm going to take any opportunity I can get, and it might be some piece of fate but I'm willing to jump on board and hopefully make the list at Essendon," Rippon said.
