It was the wake up call many can only dream about. But, on Wednesday morning, mature-aged rookie Josh Glenn received a phone call from Gold Coast SUNS coach Rodney Eade that literally woke him up.

The 21-year-old from Central Districts in the SANFL has been elevated off the rookie list - replacing Jaeger O’Meara - and will make his debut against the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.

“Yesterday morning, I got a phone call early in the morning, he (Eade) actually woke me up. He just said: ‘You’ve been in good form lately, we’ve picked you in the side’,” Glenn told SUNS TV on Thursday afternoon.

“And then after that I couldn’t remember anything else. I was just up in joy – I was pretty rapt.”

Glenn’s football journey is both one of intrigue and of perseverance. After receiving an invitation to attend the draft combine at the end of 2013, the lightly-built midfielder declined the offer and withdrew his nomination for the national draft. Electing to spend another season plying his trade with South Australian powerhouse Central Districts, away from the harsh reality of the AFL.

A peculiar decision that had the potential to backfire if no one chose to recruit him down the track. But on the back of another impressive season in the SANFL, Glenn was overlooked again. However, this time the SUNS came calling, using their seventh selection in last December’s rookie draft to secure his services.

“I didn’t lose hope after missing out on the draft, but obviously I was disappointed. But here I am today, I’ve been working hard to get where I am,” Glenn said.

After receiving a taste of senior football during the NAB Challenge series, Glenn has been one of the SUNS' prime movers in the early stages of the NEAFL season. Putting his hand up for selection on the back of consistent performances playing across half-back, on the wing and through the middle of the ground.

“The Greater Western Sydney game I had to pick up the pace a bit and I struggled a bit early, but I think I’ve played a couple of NEAFL games and I’ve been in pretty good form so I think I’m pretty ready to have a crack at senior level,” he said.

Blessed with a great engine and an appetite for work, it was an apt decision by the club to pair him up with 2014 club champion David Swallow when he first arrived on the Gold Coast.

Ahead of his maiden appearance at the highest level, Glenn revealed that the West Australian has had the greatest impact on his development since he arrived in southern Queensland.

“David Swallow, we obviously play the same position and I lived for him for a week when I got here,” Glenn said.

“He’s helped me out a lot through just telling me roles, where to be and stuff like that. He’s been a big help.”