WHEN THE 25-year-old Liam Reidy arrived at IKON Park on Tuesday, it was hard for him not to reminisce on the 15-year-old Reidy.

The one who would look out from the offices of the old AFL Victoria admin building, watching Carlton train as he undertook work experience.

“I sat on the far wing doing a bit of events managing… or trying to think I was doing something. Looking out and watching Carlton train, it is funny being here now.

“I always dreamt of playing AFL as a kid, it is crazy.”

That dream wasn’t always a sure thing of becoming a reality, with Reidy yet another in the ever-growing line of AFL players who have undertaken a different journey from the usual elite pathways to get to where he is.

Combining footy with basketball, Reidy was playing for his local club East Brighton at under-19s level when others in his age group were starting their AFL journey.

But a move to Frankston in the VFL at the time of the pandemic set in motion Reidy’s ascension to the AFL ranks, earning a spot at Fremantle where he became the understudy to Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy.

“I started playing local footy around the 18 or 19-year-old mark, it was a different pathway from most of the boys getting into the AFL. But I wouldn’t change a thing,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s ever really hit me. My first goal was to play VFL footy and be consistent at that level - even speaking to clubs, I never thought it was going to happen because I came from such a long way back, playing a bit of basketball and the like.

“I got an opportunity at Freo and now I feel like I’ve got a bit of experience and exposure to the highest level. I’m really excited to see where I can take my footy here.”

For the big-bodied ruckman who unsurprisingly describes himself as “pretty competitive”, that hunger has never dissipated.

Nor has the gratitude.

“The opportunities to play some senior footy over here, which is something I’ve been deprived of, is a big motivator. Playing more footy at the top level.

“I’m still pinching myself to this day that I get this opportunity on an AFL list. But I’m not just here to be part of it: I’m here to participate and play in the 22 every week.

“I’ll be fighting tooth and nail with my teammates alongside me.”