FROM unpacking boxes to an AFL debut, Jay Lockhart has had the most incredible couple of weeks.

The 23-year-old transformed his life to give his dream career a shot and has been living with his VFL coach to help guide him to the big time.

Now, just a matter of days after being recruited by the Melbourne Football Club, he will be making his senior debut – and running onto GMHBA Stadium in a pair of Umbro footy boots that he pays for himself.

Lockhart has shown incredible courage, determination and persistence, moving from Tasmania to follow his love of football.

Finally, the classy utility’s commitment will be rewarded on Saturday night as he lines up against Geelong – a moment that he admits was a distant dream a mere 15 days earlier.

“Three weeks ago, I was unpacking some shipping containers as a contractor for some companies on the west side of the city,” Lockhart told Melbourne Media.

“In three weeks, it’s changed quite dramatically.”

Despite missing out on selection at the pre-season draft, Lockhart still had a glimmer of hope of being recruited by a club for the 2019 season due to a new rule introduced by the AFL.

Two weeks ago, the signing deadline was quickly approaching, and as the hope was dissipating, Lockhart received a call from Simon Goodwin – a call that seemingly changed his life.

“Goody rang me at about six o’clock on that Thursday night just to let me know that I was going to be on the list,” Lockhart said.

“For the first time in my life I was pretty speechless to be honest.

“It didn’t really hit me until I got off the phone and rang my parents.”

And while he expected an overwhelming response, his parents’ reactions went to a whole new level.

“My mum was hysterical, crying, and then my dad went quiet and he was crying as well,” Lockhart said.

“It was pretty funny for me listening to my old man cry – I haven’t heard him cry very many times.

“It probably took about three or four days for it to actually kick in and realise what had happened.”

After having a standout year with the Casey Demons in the VFL last season, Lockhart had his sights set on the 2018 draft.

But instead of sulking when his name wasn’t called out, he decided to keep on fighting.

“Obviously after the draft I was pretty shattered, thinking I was hopefully going to get drafted,” Lockhart said.

“But I think the way I responded was good. I worked hard, I just wanted to use it as motivation to prove to myself that I could make it.”

It’s been a challenging journey for Lockhart since packing up his life at the start of 2018 and moving to Victoria, but he can finally say that his leap of faith has paid off.

“I came across from Tasmania to try to get on a list,” he said.

“That was my aim, I wasn’t going to come and just play footy and have fun.

“Obviously that’s what I’m doing at the moment, playing footy and having fun, but I wanted that to be a career for me.

“I love footy that much I just wanted to make that part of my life as much as possible.

“I’m so glad I went to Casey – they gave me a great stepping stone to get on an AFL list.”

And his former senior coach is simply over the moon about the youngster’s recent fortune.

“I’m just so pleased he’s been able to achieve his dream which is to be on an AFL list,” Casey Demons coach Jade Rawlings told Melbourne Media.

“In the last 18 months he’s had the courage to change his life and come over and play VFL – now he’s going to be an AFL player.”

Rawlings says Lockhart has worked as hard as anyone to secure a spot at Melbourne and is ready to have an impact at the top level.

“I think the only way you make it if you’re a state league player is if you have an extremely high work ethic and you’re prepared to embrace the program that’s ahead of you,” Rawlings said.

“But you have to do a lot more than that.

“Jay, off his own back, would come in and do extra craft sessions.

“He’s got a great temperament, he’s a quiet, humble character and he’s well suited to AFL.”

Rawlings has had the chance to get to know Lockhart better than anyone recently, as the newest Demon and his partner Grace have been living with the Rawlings family over the past two months.

“There was an opportunity for them to move in with me and they’ve taken that,” Rawlings said.

“It must be a bit weird – living with the coach – but we get along really well and he’s great to have around the house.

“From our end, it’s made the house a really positive place to be.”

And the house would’ve been more than positive on Wednesday night after Lockhart received yet another momentous phone call from the Melbourne head coach.

“I was actually playing my PlayStation with a mate and I saw Simon Goodwin’s name pop up on my phone,” Lockhart said.

“I was hoping it was some good news.

“When he let me know I was playing I was absolutely stoked.

“I actually can’t wait for Saturday, I’m so keen to run out with the boys for the first time and try to help this team.”

So, after a challenging 15 months, and a whirlwind 15 days, Lockhart has finally made it – he’s an AFL player.

But this isn’t the finish line for the Demon debutant, it’s just the beginning.