Ballarat football product Richelle 'Rocky' Cranston is frank about her delisting.

An inaugural player with the Melbourne Demons, the hard-nosed midfielder quickly become a cult figure in the AFLW's infancy.

An opportunity to join expansion club Geelong presented itself in 2019, with Cranston only missing one game in the next three seasons.

The former North Ballarat star was a member of the club's inaugural leadership group, before later dropping out.

Then, come mid-2021, while the 32-year-old was playing for the Cats' VFLW side, she was cut.

An abrupt end looked near for one of the league's most experienced players.

Cranston found herself eye-to-eye with uncomfortable apprehension.

"(My biggest fear) is probably failing," she revealed in the AFLW's Unfiltered video series.

"Last year, I felt like I was a massive failure, and I didn't even live up to the expectations that were put on me or the ones that I put on myself.

"I always want to be successful at the things I do, and getting delisted was just like (hearing) 'you're not good enough'."

There's an old adage in sport - good characters get offered more chances.

Weeks after being deemed surplus by Geelong, Cranston was presented an AFLW lifeline by the Western Bulldogs.

"I feel like I've been given a second chance, and the best thing that could have ever happened to me was being delisted," she said.

"It's weird to say that now because I was so devastated.

"Failing is not the worst thing. You can always come back from it and work hard. I think I'm really lucky and blessed to be a part of the Bulldogs family."

Cranston's resurgence has come at a time when she's finding peace away from football.

"(My biggest regret) is probably not working on my mental health and resilience earlier. I work so hard in the gym and work so hard on my footy (but) my brain is probably the one I needed to focus on most from an early age," she said.

"I regret not focusing on that (when I was) younger and pushing everything aside and pretending the issues were not there.

"I feel (like I'm) in a very different place. I feel excited for what's to come. I'm probably living my highlight now. The past couple of years have probably been a lowlight and to come out the other side really happy and healthy is (great).

"Life has probably taught me that if you're strong enough, you can get through anything.

"It's hard to say how I feel. I feel really content, which is where I probably didn't think I would get. There are always struggles, but I feel like I can manage them.

"I'm loving my football, I've bought a gym, and I'm really happy with the people I have around me - the relationships I have are very strong. I feel really happy."

If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.