Rory Lobb has been a painter, a labourer, a machine operator and owned a landscaping business.  

This Saturday night Lobb will become an AFL player when he makes his debut against Essendon at Spotless Stadium.

The 21-year-old from Perth has had an unusual pathway to the AFL. Standing at 206cm tall, Lobb was predominately a basketballer as a youngster.

After playing football from the ages of 10 to 14, it was only two years ago that he took up footy again, playing for Swan Districts in the WAFL.

“I was just playing a bit of local footy with my best mate and they told me I should probably make the change and I didn’t believe them because obviously I liked playing basketball and grew up playing it,” Lobb said.

“Probably at the start of last year I had a few clubs sort of looking at me and it started to escalate coming into the end of the year and that’s when I sort of realised I really had a shot at coming to an AFL side.”

The youngest of six kids – and definitely the tallest - Lobb arrived at the GIANTS at pick 29 with not much of a football background. But that quickly changed as he was thrust into the world of professional AFL.

“It was really hard for me actually because a lot of the younger boys watch a lot more footy than me so when I came I was obviously the same age as most of these boys but I didn’t know anyone, I didn’t know any names, I didn’t know any other players’ names,” he said.

“Coming from not a real footy background it was really hard.”

But Lobb's strong marking and deft ruck work in recent games for the UWS GIANTS had coach Leon Cameron hinting he was edging closer to a debut.

“I’ve had a bit of hiccups, I’ve put on a bit of weight which gave me a few little niggles in my body so I haven’t really had a good run with the NEAFL, I’ve just sort of been up and down,” Lobb said.

“I’ve had four games now in a row and I’ve been pretty solid I think through those games.”

Lobb knows he faces a huge challenge in his debut game against the Bombers on Saturday night with the GIANTS back at home for their first night game at Spotless Stadium in two years.

“Obviously they’ve got Bellchambers, Ryder and Daniher, they're obviously a tall side and they’re very good at what they do,” he said.

“It will be a learning curve to come in and I’ve just got to try stick to our game plans and work hard and hopefully we get the win.”

After training with the AFL team this week, Lobb had an inkling he could be close to selection and this was was confirmed by Leon Cameron in front of the playing group on Wednesday afternoon.

“As soon as they said it in front of the boys I was just so happy,” Lobb said.

“I texted my mum and she didn’t read the message so I called her.

“She was pretty happy, probably more excited than I was. Obviously I’m excited but your mum’s always your number one fan, same as dad he was really excited.”

Make sure you're there on Saturday night to see the GIANTS take on Essendon at 7.40pm at Spotless Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park. Click here to get your tickets now.