Bruce Reville’s long-awaited dream of playing AFL will come true on Sunday night when the 23-year-old rookie makes his debut against the Gold Coast SUNS.
The highly anticipated QClash 26 will be extra special for the Lions Academy graduate who will play his first AFL game in front of a home crowd at The Gabba.
Reville, born in Papua New Guinea, grew up in Cairns until age seven, before moving to Burrum Heads where he played under 9s for the Burrum Joeys.
It was then junior footy for the Maryborough Bears before officially joining the Lions’ AFL program as a Category B rookie on a one-year deal at the end of 2023.
Prior to that the utility was one of Brisbane’s regular best performers in the VFL since missing out on being drafted in 2019.
Yet when the moment did come to find out he would debut, Reville admitted he initially missed the call from coach Chris Fagan before calling back.
“When Fages (Chris Fagan) told me I was playing I couldn’t get any words out for a little bit, I was pumped up and just over the moon about it,” Reville said.
“I guess I feel kind of relieved in one way to have finally made it, it’s quite emotional really.
“A lot has happened for me to get to this point, from working multiple jobs and making a lot of sacrifices from me and my partner to try and pursue an AFL career.”
Those jobs included shifts cutting meat at a local abattoir, driving a forklift at Bunnings and delivering packages at Christmas for extra money.
Reville’s story is one that somewhat resembles that of a typical Hollywood underdog movie, and fortunately for the 23-year-old it includes triumph.
“There were a lot of days where you have a lot of time to sit there and think, and the last thing I wanted to be doing was cutting meat or driving around a forklift,” Reville admitted.
“I think that’s why I worked so hard to get to this position because I knew it’s not what I wanted to be doing in life.
“I also did a bit of diesel mechanic work, which I wanted to follow as a career, but I put that aside to concentrate on footy.”
Having that opportunity to focus purely on football has seen Reville continue to develop and become a standout player for the Lions in the VFL.
Reville said he now wants to repay the faith shown in him.
“I am not putting expectations on myself, I will go out playing my role, bringing my strengths to the team and keep doing what has been working for me,” he said.
“There’s a lot of quality players around me so I just want to be a sponge and take everything in I can from them and keep learning and getting better.”
One thing that makes Reville so appealing to Fagan and the Lions match committee is his ability to play multiple positions.
Reville, a silky mover with a penetrating kick, has spent a of his career playing through the midfield, though is a dangerous forward who can also play down back.
Brisbane Lions General Manager Football, Danny Daly said he was thrilled to see Reville rewarded.
“The journey of Bruce Reville is one of those great football stories that any aspiring AFL player or anyone chasing their dream should look at,” Daly said.
“Bruce spent the best part of seven years in our Brisbane Lions Academy and playing at VFL level where he just kept persisting and wanting to get better.
“It was such a great feeling when we offered him a spot on our AFL list late last year and now to tell him he will make his debut is just really special for him and his family.
“He has done all of the hard work to earn this opportunity and everyone at the Club can’t wait to watch him debut on Sunday night.”
