New Port Adelaide player Josh Lai has completed a fairytale rise from local football to the AFL in less than 12 months.

The Power will this week award a rookie spot on their list to the 19-year-old, who started last year playing under-19s for Cheltenham Victoria’s Southern Football League, and finished it by winning best on ground in the club’s senior premiership.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Local footballer’s fairytale rise to the AFL complete.

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Lai grew up in Singapore and played soccer as a kid before moving to Melbourne where he adopted Australian Rules as his preferred sport.

The SSP bolter was spotted by Power recruiters, who invited him to train at Alberton over the summer, where he impressed with his athletic ability and cool head under pressure.

Clubs have just a week left to make decisions on summer train-on players, with the SSP deadline this week.

At Essendon, Tom Edwards did his chances of landing on Bombers’ list the world of good on Saturday, the SSP hopeful kicking four goals in the Bombers’ 19-point practice match win over the Western Bulldogs.

Edwards entered the clash at Whitten Oval hoping to impress in a bid to convince Essendon to hand him a spot on their list via the supplemental selection period.

His chance to dazzle was limited, only being unleashed after half-time.

But it was all he needed, with Edwards kicking his fourth goal by midway through the final quarter to help lead Essendon to the 11.11 (77) to 8.10 (58) victory.

Whether it was crumbing the ball, snapping in traffic or taking diving marks, Edwards proved he has what it takes to thrive at the highest level.

Small forward Isaac Kako, taken with pick No.13 in last year’s national draft, showed plenty of talent in his first showing for Essendon.

His pick-up and dish-off in the second quarter was special, and he followed the play to pounce on the ball again to snap truly.

The Bulldogs entered the match without the likes of Marcus Bontempelli (managed), Tom Liberatore (managed), defender Bailey Dale, All-Australian midfielder Adam Treloar (calf), Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (personal reasons), Liam Jones (hamstring) and Jason Johannisen (hamstring).

Rory Lobb, Matt Kennedy, Sam Darcy, Rhylee West and Ed Richards were among the throng of Bulldogs players rested after half-time.

Essendon were without Darcy Parish (back), Ben McKay (ankle), Mordan Ridley (hamstring), Sam Durham (soreness) and Matt Guelfi (hamstring).

Bulldogs forward Darcy made a big early impact, kicking 1.2 and taking two powerful marks in the first quarter.

- With AAP