New mature-age Richmond ruckman Orren Stephenson doesn’t want to die wondering.

That’s why the 30-year-old father of three is more than happy to take his chances on the Tigers’ rookie list, rather than opt for the more financially-secure alternative of his full-time career as a Telstra technician, plus part-time football.

After playing – and starring – in three consecutive premierships with VFL club North Ballarat, Stephenson was selected by the then reigning AFL premier, Geelong, at pick 78 overall in the 2011 National Draft.

Stephenson made his debut in the opening round of the 2012 season against Fremantle and managed a further seven senior appearances on top of that.  He returned from a broken hand, suffered late in the season, to play in the Cats’ VFL premiership side – his fourth flag in five years.

Just a few days later, however, Stephenson was delisted by Geelong and he remained in football limbo until this week when Richmond claimed him with its third pick (No. 36 overall) in the AFL rookie draft.

“I don’t want to sit back when I’m 45 and say, ‘Well, I could have had another year (of AFL football), it was only all about the money.  I’m not going to live with any regrets,” Stephenson said on Radio Sport National, in response to a question about why he was so keen to keep his AFL dream alive as a rookie-list player.

“I’ve really enjoyed the AFL lifestyle and what it actually gave back to my family last year.

“Working full-time, and playing VFL footy, took a lot of time away from my family, which I didn’t actually realise until last season.

“So, I suppose there are benefits both ways . . . it weighs out in the end.”

Stephenson believes his one-year stint in the AFL with Geelong has been of significant benefit, in terms of boosting his fitness levels.

“You do some VFL sessions and just get through some of those, because you’ve had a big day, but full-time commitment at training makes a big inroad,” he said.

“I’m certainly looking forward to the next year . . . a lot of keenness at the moment to improve this pre-season, physically, again.”

Despite his age, Stephenson feels his body is “holding up really well”.

“I’ve been very lucky across my career.  I’ve had a couple of little impact-type breaks . . . I broke my hand this year and had a thumb break a couple of years before than in the VFL.  But they’ve probably been the only things that have kept me out of footy,” he said.

“I was in the best shape going into this pre-season that I’ve ever been, so I’m certainly very happy where I’m at.”