JOEL Hamling has saved the Western Bulldogs nearly $1.5 million.

When star Geelong defender Tom Lonergan rejected the Bulldogs’ generous three-year contract offer last year, the Bulldogs zeroed in on his unseen understudy.

So after three years as a Cat, Hamling was duly signed as a delisted free agent.

The backman admits playing 42 VFL games for no AFL appearances made it a frustrating time at Geelong.

“Personally, it was because the blokes I got drafted with were all playing and I was playing reserves,” he said.

“I’ve had a lot of downs and not many ups. I got to Geelong at 78kg and I was really, really raw and I learnt a lot from Harry Taylor and those guys.

“But they just didn’t miss, to be honest. In every good game I played there was always good key defenders which didn’t miss.

“I’m not too sure (if I was ever close to a game) — you’d have to ask (coach) Chris Scott, but I was playing as a key defender or key forward, so I couldn’t really come in as a sub.”

Hamling’s AFL career opened in Round 9 with a match-up on GWS spearhead Jeremy Cameron and the next week he was chasing another All-Australian in Chad Wingard.

It is that versatility which excited the Dogs, along with the apprenticeship served at the premiership powerhouse.

As 194cm Hamling gels into a backline with the athletic Easton Wood, young Fletcher Roberts and wise heads Bob Murphy and Matthew Boyd, the West Australian says he never doubted he would make the grade.

“I was always confident I could play. Worst case I would’ve been a rookie at Geelong (this year),” he said.

“If I did stay there I would’ve been OK, but I’m glad I’ve moved on.”

Hamling has bulked up to 88kg and wants to get to 92kg as he works to cement a position in the Dogs’ rebounding back six.

Dogs coach Luke Beveridge said Hamling’s versatility was a plus.

“He has got terrific speed and agility for a big guy and he has got good skills and he is really proud, so he hates losing one-on-one contests,” Beveridge said.

“The unknown was whether he could play at the level, but he is showing us at the moment that he is more than capable.”

Hamling had Joel Selwood teaching him how to win contested ball, Lonergan honing his one-on-one craft and repeatedly trained on monster forward Tom Hawkins.

So when the Cameron challenge rolled around, Hamling’s apprenticeship left him unfazed.

“Playing on Hawkins (at training) you’re playing on the best forward, so it was good. Nothing’s too different to match practice,” he said

But what about finally cracking an AFL game 1283 days after he was drafted one pick before dual premiership Hawk Brad Hill?

“To be honest I wasn’t really excited,” Hamling said.

“I knew I’d eventually make it but when it finally came around I didn’t get excited or emotional, I went and did what I had to.

“Now I’m (four) games into an AFL career for (three) wins and that’s exciting.”