Just a few short years ago, Stephen Wrigley was probably more of a ‘social footballer’ content with playing alongside his mates in Melbourne’s Eastern Football League while completing his tertiary studies.

But a move to Brisbane at the end of 2009 helped accelerate a potential AFL career - with two seasons at the Labrador Tigers in Queensland’s local League reaping a club Best & Fairest award and consecutive appearances in the QAFL/NEAFL Team of the Year.

Wrigley’s meteoric rise through the ranks culminated in him being selected by the Brisbane Lions at last December’s Rookie Draft.

While the 24 year-old might be starting his AFL career later than most recruits, that just makes him more determined to make up for lost time.

As a rookie, Wrigley understands that he may need to ply his trade with the Lions Reserves before seriously pushing for a senior game - which he maintains is his ultimate goal.

“We’re all hoping for a senior berth at some stage, definitely. That’s the reason why we’re here,” Wrigley said.

“I already feel comfortable playing at the QAFL level. I know what the standard is like and how the footy is played. It should make it pretty easy to settle back into a routine.”

“Having played with the bigger bodies will hopefully make me feel more prepared for senior footy.”

“If I can help pass on some of that knowledge to the younger boys, then that’s just a bonus.”

A feature article on the Lions’ website back in December last year also revealed Wrigley’s fascinating work outside of football which stemmed from university studies in prosthetics.

Since 2009, he has worked for a private company out of the Mater Hospital where he has learned to make artificial limbs to help everyone from “kids with cerebral palsy and spina bifida, to older people with arthritis”.

While he hopes to continue with his studies in orthotics, Wrigley also realises that full-time football has become his main priority.

“I’ve been talking with (Lions Welfare Manager) Manny Lynch about that, and we’re going to try and fit a couple of hours of work in every week or every second week,” he said.

“But for the time being I’ll be focussing on the footy and making sure I get that stuff sorted out.”

“Once I get into a bit more of a routine and become more comfortable with the environment, I’ll make sure I can keep my hand in the industry.”