They say it’s a long way to the top.

For Rory Lobb, the remarkable journey to his Fremantle debut at Optus Stadium today began when he wasn’t even aiming for the top.

Admitting he is something of an accidental AFL footballer, the towering recruit had his sights set on college basketball in the US.

Lobb, who played basketball in the SBL for Kalamunda Eastern Suns as a 19-year-old, had that ambition complicated as he had not finished school.

He left Perth’s Governor Stirling Senior High School at 14 due to bullying and moved into a landscaping business with his father and sister.

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When Kalamunda missed the SBL finals in 2012, Lobb’s mates invited him to Swan Athletic for the final game of the amateur footy season. It would be his first game of football since he was 14.

A scout from Swan Districts was watching and a year later Lobb was on an AFL list after being taken by Greater Western Sydney with pick 29 in the 2013 national draft.

“I couldn’t kick the ball but I rucked alright in that game,” the 207cm Lobb recalled.

Camera Icon Rory Lobb during the JLT Community Series. Credit: AFL Media

He completed a strong summer of training at Bassendean and after nine games in the reserves was handed his WAFL league debut. For the rest of the season recruiters were taking note of his rapid rise.

“I had a pretty decent pre-season and started picking up footy a little bit better and by halfway through the year I was in the league side. So I was pretty lucky,” he said.

“When footy came around I sort of felt like I’d have a good crack at it that year, and went from there and here I am.

“I was just playing footy. I like to have my own life and do my own things. I didn’t really focus on anything that was happening or if I was in the paper.

“I didn’t really mind. I was just like if it happens, it happens, if it doesn’t I’ve still got the rest my life here and my landscaping and all that.”

Lobb was a West Coast supporter growing up, but was more interested watching his heroes in the NBA.

“I wasn’t actually thinking about it (an AFL career) at all. It wasn’t my childhood dream or anything like that,” he said.

While he didn’t have a football background, he did have extraordinary athleticism for a man his size.

It translated brilliantly to the footy arena, where his ability to take contested marks would become his signature.

He is adamant the Dockers are getting a better player than the Giants did five years ago.

“I think the athleticism is definitely what you’re born with. I’ve got long arms and big hands and I can jump. I had that aspect,” Lobb said.

“But then once teams know what you’re doing, you’ve got to be able to learn and find different ways to take marks, especially one-on-one.

“I felt like if I had a run and jump when I was younger, that’s when I was at my best. But now I feel like I’ve got an all-round contested mark game where I use my body and find different ways to mark it.”

Lobb is one of six children and won’t be short of support when he runs out against North Melbourne back in his home town.

He is thrilled his parents and extended family will be there.

“They didn’t come to any games last year. I’m really happy being able to see them when I can, and the lifestyle here of beach and all that sort of stuff I really enjoy,” Lobb said.