ADELAIDE'S 27-year-old recruit Ian Callinan says he has Geelong forward James Podsiadly to thank for his selection in Tuesday's NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

Callinan was invited to train with the Crows following a standout season with Central District, with whom he won a premiership medal, the Jack Oatey Medal as best on ground in the SANFL grand final as well as the club's best and fairest award.

After a string of unsuccessful trials with several AFL clubs over his SANFL and VFL career, the pint-sized midfielder/forward was half expecting another knockback when he came off the training track on Tuesday morning.

"We had a 10-minute run at the end of training this morning and was standing there thinking I was going to get the tap on the shoulder to say I hadn't been picked," Callinan said.

"I didn't know [Adelaide had picked me], so I just went out there and tried to do what I've done for the last four weeks and that was put my name out there.

"Craigy (coach Neil Craig) always said to me, 'Just give it everything you've got and the rest will take care of itself'."

Instead, it was good news waiting for Callinan. As promised, the Tasmanian had been picked by Adelaide at No.64 overall.

Callinan, the 2005 JJ Liston Trophy winner, said he had all but given up on an AFL career until Podsiadly showed it was possible for players on the wrong side of 25 to have an impact.

Podsiadly was 28 when recruited by the Cats in last year's rookie draft and kicked 49 goals in his first season.

"I played a state game with him in 2005 and to see what he did … it sort of gives you hope," Callinan said.

"A guy at 27 years of age doesn't think he's going to get an opportunity in the AFL, but without a doubt guys like Podsiadly and Michael Barlow have given mature-age players another opportunity."

Unlike fellow SANFL player and Carlton recruit Nick Duigan, who insisted he be drafted to a senior list rather than the lower-paying rookie list, Callinan said he didn't hesitate in accepting his position with the Crows.

"It's something I've dreamed about my whole life … so to me it [the pay cut] wasn't really an issue," he said.

"I sat down with my wife and my son and we went through it and they've been great about it. They know it's something I've always wanted to do and said we should give it a crack."

The Crows have lacked a genuine small forward since the retirement of Matthew Bode six years ago, and Callinan said he was confident he could play regular AFL football next season.

"I wouldn't have put myself in this position if I didn't think I could make it. I've always believed I'd be able to make it [at AFL level]. I just needed to be given the opportunity … I was fortunate enough to get that opportunity today," he said.

"I'm not here to make up the numbers. I'm here to give it everything I've got and I believe if I can do everything right then I'm sure I can play games next year."