If any player knows about the highs and lows of an AFL career, it’s Joel Tippett.

Taken as one of the final picks in the 2007 Rookie Draft by Brisbane, the key-defender was delisted in 2009, only to be re-drafted and again delisted a year later.

After a one-year stint and two games at the Gold Coast, he found himself back in the SANFL.

But the story didn’t end there. At the 2013 Rookie Draft, North gave him another chance. Now, 12 months on, a promotion to the senior list is only hours away.

“I’m really happy. The club has shown great faith in me to give me a third crack at it, so I’m really hoping to repay that faith next year,” Tippett told NMFC.com.au from Utah.

“I’ve had my share of ups and downs, but I’m really looking forward to the season and this opportunity.”

Tippett broke into the Kangaroos’ side in Round 6 this year, only to miss three months with a pectoral injury suffered soon after.

“It was pretty unlucky. It was just one of those things. It was a pretty standard tackle and it just went pop on me.

“I just had to put my head down. I worked pretty hard in the gym to get back to the strength I was before.”

That positive attitude to his rehabilitation clearly didn’t go unnoticed.

Despite only a couple of appearances back at VFL level, Tippett was close to getting back into the team for the Preliminary Final against Sydney.

“To be emergency was pleasing. Obviously I would have liked to play, but in a sense it was a real positive that the coaches held me in that regard,” he added.

“Unfortunately I played one game for North Ballarat and then in the second picked up another little injury that put me back a little bit, so it was great to still be considered.”

Tippett understands competition for spots is going to make his task a tough one in 2015, but he's making the most of the wealth of knowledge around him.

“It’s been great to be able to learn from guys like Scott Thompson and Lachlan Hansen.

“They are both fantastic players and I took a lot from them last year; just working through the pre-season on body positioning, the way they read the play and when to drop off.”

One of the older players in Utah, albeit at just 26, Tippett is keen to take advantage of two weeks at altitude.

“I thought it was really important to come over. I wanted to come over here and work really hard and it’s been a great opportunity.

“It’s important for me fitness-wise to get another pre-season under my belt, injury free, and to work hard in the gym and gain some more strength.

“I’ll be working with the development coaches and just getting myself ready to go, putting my hand up for selection.”

Tippett and fellow rookie Kayne Turner are set to be promoted to the senior list on Thursday night.