It’s indicative of Billy Longer’s amiable nature that he signed off our twenty minute phone interview for this story with “thanks so much for the chat, enjoy yourself and take care.”

For someone just 19 years of age with relatively limited media experience, Longer’s friendliness was refreshing, and his modesty is a pleasant surprise.

For a first round draft pick (taken at no.8) with huge wraps on him from an early age, Longer’s about as grounded as they come.

The 201cm ruckman came to the Lions after a stellar junior career, which included a spot in the 2011 TAC Cup Team of the Year and captaincy of the all-conquering Victoria Metro side at the U18 Championships-a CV which understandably incited a little big-headedness from the young man.

But any ego he had on account of his underage exploits was quashed the moment Longer began training with the club.

“It’s such a massive step-up, coming from junior footy to an AFL club-much bigger than I thought it’d be,” Longer explains.

“To go from one of the oldest in the TAC Cup and being in the leadership group to the Lions was really tough. It was a bit of a wakeup call to be honest. I realised pretty quickly that this was the real deal-I wasn’t going to dominate here like I had been.”

Despite the initial rude shock of professional football’s intensity, Longer adapted well to life at the Lions, stacking on extra bulk to his frame (he now weighs more than 100kg), improving his aerobic capacity, and brushing up on the technical aspect of the ruckman’s craft.

Longer says the advice and mentorship of ruck coach Jamie Charman and fellow tall Matthew Leuenberger has been invaluable.

“It’s been really good for my development working with Leuey and Charmo, he enthuses.

“They’re so knowledgeable and professional and they’ve taught me so much already. I actually lived with Leuey for my first month in Brisbane; he’s definitely one of my best mates at the club.”

Longer, a former junior basketball star, made his debut in round 3 this year-a baptism of fire against Fremantle behemoth Aaron Sandilands, and has played five games in total.

He’s spent the latter half of the season in the Reserves as veteran Ben Hudson shoulders the ruck responsibility in the top team.

Reserves coach Nathan Clarke has been impressed with his boom recruit in 2012.

“Billy’s been going really well this year; the fact he’s played five senior games is a credit to him,” Clarke says.

“I rate it as a successful year for him; he’s been pretty much injury-free and he’s more than held his own with guys who are a lot older and more experienced.”

Longer lives with fellow Victorian draftee Sam Docherty and Docherty’s girlfriend, and although Longer jokes he feels like a ‘permanent third wheel’, he’s enjoying living away from home.

“It’s awesome living with Sam and his girlfriend,” he enthuses.

“It’s a good house dynamic we have- like a family. Sam’s definitely the father figure, his girlfriend’s great with keeping everything going smoothly as well, and I’m...pretty much the big kid of the house!”

Longer explains another big plus of life in the Sunshine State is the relaxed reception he gets; from the locals and the press.

“I really do love Brisbane; it’s a beautiful climate and city, and I’ve made some really good friends,” he says.

“Everybody is very laid back up here too which is great, even the media. There’s not really too much focus on us compared to the Rugby codes-we get a pretty good time of it.”

Being away from the AFL-obsessed bubble of Melbourne has been a blessing for the youngster, allowing him to concentrate on his development without the added onus of the relentless spotlight.

Longer says the comparative lack of scrutiny that comes with playing football up North is a definite positive for him.

“To be honest, I had more intense focus on me last year as a schoolboy in Melbourne than I’ve had this year playing AFL,” he quips.

“I love that there’s not someone analysing your every move up here and speculating on everything. I can walk around Brisbane all day and not get recognised, which just wouldn’t happen down south.”

At 6’ 7’’ and 16 stone, with a prolific career seemingly inevitable, it’s doubtful Billy will remain unrecognisable for too much longer.