In 2012, Grey was playing soccer for the Devonport Strikers under 18s in Northern Tasmania's Victory League. 

He hardly played any Australian Rules football that year, featuring in just a handful of under 17 matches for the Burnie Dockers. 

Soccer was Grey's first choice, and he scored 27 goals in the 2012 season to win the league's best and fairest, the Golden Boot award, while helping Devonport to the title.

Just 18 months on, Grey is on the cusp on an AFL debut with Fremantle, after being named as an emergency a fortnight ago against the Western Bulldogs. 

"Soccer was my priority until January last year, when I focused on footy," Grey said.

The 18-year-old was Fremantle's fourth selection in last year's NAB AFL draft. The Dockers gambled on Grey with pick No. 58 after just 13 senior games with the Burnie Dockers and one season with the Tassie Mariners' under 18s side.      

Grey said he has shocked himself with how quickly he has progressed, as he had no thought of even coming close to making his AFL debut this year.

"It surprised me a little bit," Grey said. 

"It was just a case of coming over here and developing my football. I'd obviously only played for 12 months before I got drafted. 

"So it was just about learning all I can from the players that have established themselves in the AFL ranks."

Grey has found himself playing a multitude of roles for Peel Thunder this year in the WAFL. He's averaged 15 touches in nine matches at WAFL level but has played in defence, up forward, on the wing, and in a run-with role. He gathered 26 disposals last Saturday for the Thunder in their 41-point loss to Swan Districts.

Grey said he is trying to learn as much as he can from Fremantle's premier midfielders. 

"My mentor is Stephen Hill," Grey said. 

"He's been very good. I take a lot from Nat Fyfe's game. I watch a lot of his vision. And also Ryan Crowley over the last couple of weeks, watching how he goes about it, trying to put it into my game."

Grey is not concerned by the fact that Australian Rules football isn't second nature to him like most of his teammates, who have played the game continuously from an early age. 

"I kind of cherish that," Grey said. 

"Coming from soccer, I've always played at a high level, so it's just a matter of trying to learn all I can at training and catching up on the time I probably lost when other players were playing."